The Zooave Animal Rescue Center issued an updated report this Sunday on the condition of the baby manatee rescued in early January in the Northern Caribbean. According to the medical team in charge, the animal is currently facing a complex clinical condition due to serious problems in its digestive system.
Isabel Hagnauer, a veterinarian at Zooave, explained that the calf has shown critical difficulties in processing its food, specifically a persistent accumulation of gas and a marked difficulty defecating. These symptoms are common in marine mammal calves that depend on artificial milk formulas after being prematurely separated from their mothers.
To counter these complications, specialists have implemented a 24-hour monitoring protocol that includes:
- Nutritional adjustments: Constant modifications to the composition of the formula to improve gastric tolerance.
- Metabolic stabilization: Procedures to relieve abdominal pressure and maintain stable vital signs.
- Direct observation: Continuous evaluation of the animal’s behavior and response to the treatments applied.
The rescue of the animal, a female less than one year old, took place last Monday, January 5, in the Tortuguero area. Officials from the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) and the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) found her stranded on the beach, dehydrated, and without any sign of her mother.
Given the animal’s young age, her survival depends entirely on human care. Although the center has reported slight improvements in her demeanor, Hagnauer emphasized that the coming weeks will be decisive in determining whether the animal can overcome this critical stage of development.
The Zooave Rescue Center stressed that caring for a manatee in captivity represents a major logistical and financial challenge due to the specialized medical and nutritional supplies required. For this reason, the institution has requested support from the public and private companies. Those interested in making donations or collaborating with the center may contact the organization directly through its official social media channels.
