The lagoons of Belize are home to a strange sea creature that mythology has long associated with the mermaid the manatee. Threatened worldwide, manatees are herbivores that feed in coastal regions. Since they move slowly and must come to the surface regularly to breathe in areas frequented by boats, they are often involved injured or killed. In Belize, an international team of biologists and veterinarians have developed a remarkable capture technique that allows them to study the manatee. And a local child, inspired by the work of these scientists since his youth, followed his dream and is today himself a respected manatee researcher.
The lagoons of Belize are home to a strange sea creature that mythology has long associated with the mermaid the manatee. Threatened worldwide, manatees are herbivores that feed in coastal regions. Since they move slowly and must come to the surface regularly to breathe in areas frequented by boats, they are often involved injured or killed. In Belize, an international team of biologists and veterinarians have developed a remarkable capture technique that allows them to study the manatee. And a local child, inspired by the work of these scientists since his youth, followed his dream and is today himself a respected manatee researcher.
General Note
Originally released by Cineflix Media, 2013.
Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on December 12, 2014.
Content Note
Manatee Legend (2:11); --Manatee Research: Gale's Point (4:33); -- Manatee's Physical Characteristics (2:28); -- Manatee Medical Exam (3:31); -- Cousteau Spurs Manatee Conservation (2:36); -- Manatee Tissue Biopsy (4:03); -- Weigh-in Debacle (1:38); -- Manatee Researchers in Training (3:06); -- Wildtracks: Manatee Rehabilitation (2:36); -- Nasograstic Tube Feeding (4:40); -- Rehabilitated Manatee (2:14); -- Threats of Belize City Waters (2:36); -- Manatee Tracking Study (4:17); -- Manatee Fitted With Transmitter (2:41); -- Final Thoughts (1:20); -- Credits: The Manatees of Belize (1:03); .