Three extraordinary Manatees arrive at Xel-Ha
Posted by: dvillacis in Articles, Natural BenefitsThree manatees, weighing a combined total of nearly a ton, arrived on Tuesday to Xel-Ha Natural Wonder, which will be their new home from today, a natural niche that will additionally serve to display their habits and lives for the appreciation and joy of visitors.
The specimens’ names are Bu’ul, the youngest, a male 8 months old, weighing around 220 lbs, whose name means “bean” in Mayan; Bu’ul’s mother Pompom, thirteen years old and weighing around 1,100 lbs; and Baaxal, an adolescent female whose name means “toy” in Mayan, weighing almost 650 lbs.
From early in the morning, a group of specialists from the Via Delphi Institute undertook the complicated task of transporting the creatures from the eco-archaeological park Xcaret, once the transfer permits were ascertained from the SEMARNAT’s Wildlife CEO.
In Xel-Ha, these manatees will be relocated to the Kay-Op Inlet (which takes its name after the parrot fish), where they will enjoy more room for their well-being and development. The manatee is an endangered specie, due to the unrestricted hunting and deterioration of its habitat. In Xel-Ha, in accordance to the company’s policy of natural preservation, a special program was specifically established for the manatee’s care and protection.
Manatees, also known as sea cows, are large marine mammals that can weigh up to 2000 lbs and measure up to 12’ long. Similarly to whales, their enormous bodies can only be supported in an aquatic environment. On land, their body weight would crush their own internal organs. These animals can live to be 70 years old.
Manatees are the only marine mammals known to be herbivores. To maintain their bodies at a constantly warm temperature, they must daily consume up to 1/10th of their body weight. For the typical sea cow, this means grazing on 50 to 90 lbs of lettuce daily.
Manatees can be found in shallow freshwaters with abundant aquatic vegetation, less than 16 feet deep, or saline waters near the confluence of rivers, lakes or coastal areas with tranquil waters (i.e. bays, inlets). Watching manatees swim is similar to beholding a slow-motion, underwater ballet, while they twist and turn silently in their watery world.
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June 29th, 2008 at 12:45 am
I am so excited and can’t wait to visit your park!!! My family and I swam with these wonderful mammals in Florida in their environment and they are so awesome! My husband and I visited Xcaret about 10 years ago and were so impressed with their grounds and the excitement of saving the turtles I can only imagine the care and excitement that your staff will be providing these great creatures! Best of luck to you and to them for helping you to learn more about them!
November 4th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
These animals look horrible now! I can’t believe Xel-Ha would keep these animals confined in that tiny holding cage! Xel-Ha needs to pull itself together and help these animals.
November 7th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Please rest assured that Xel-Ha’s manatee program is helping these specimens in the most adequate manner possible. Bu’ul is still a very young specimen, and will need constant care and vigilation from his mother before he can choose distinguish proper foodstuffs for himself.
Furthermore, manatees in mangrove ecosystems tend to grow algae on their skin, which helps them avoid predators in the wild despite their slow movement, much like the moss on sloths. We have indeed received several queries as to why their appearance differs from aquarium manatees, and its principal cause is the nitrous-rich water of the natural estuary habitat.
Thank you for visiting, and once again, I hope your doubts rest reassured.
R. Millan
Copy Editor
February 11th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I LOVED SWIMMING WITH THESE GUYS!