Garth Rattray | How now, sea cow – Part One

Canaries were used in coal mines as early warning systems to detect toxic gases, especially the colourless and odourless, but extremely lethal, gas carbon monoxide. Because they breathe a lot faster than we do, those sensitive birds would become distressed or collapse if they were exposed to the gas. 
Coal miners would carefully observe the birds and react by evacuating the mine or donning protective gear as necessary. Canaries were the typical “sentinel species”. The practice was phased out in 1986 because of legislation and technological advancement.  
As canaries were to coal mines, the manatee (otherwise called the “sea cow”) and several other animals on and around our island, are to Jamaica. 
We have the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) here. 
They are our naturally occurring “sentinel species”. They are sensitive to changes in our environment. Although the health, well-being, and survival of manatees are indicative of the condition of our island’s aquatic habitats, and, therefore, directly related to the survival of our little home in the Sun, there was a time when we took our environmentally aware eyes off this potential harbinger of doom for our ecological environment.  
This resilient species has been native here for millions of years. But because of severe environmental problems and human encroachment/contact, their numbers are declining significantly. When a resilient species struggles to survive in its natural habitat, it is indicative of serious underlying ecosystem failures.
And so it was that sometime in the early 1990s, one of our government veterinarians assigned to the Vet Services Division in Clarendon, Dr Paul Cadogan, accompanied a safari-like expedition with a US marine mammal vet, who came to Jamaica to the Alligator Hole River, in southern Clarendon. At that time, observers already knew that the all-female population of manatees was denuding that environment of food (the seagrass that they eat), and the team wanted to either relocate them or get food into that area. 
The team also needed to investigate the compatibility of these females with the North American manatee. The plan was to import a male for breeding purposes. Dr Cadogan was seated on the bow of the boat with both feet dangling just above the water as they looked for the manatees to trap, tag them, and collect blood samples. 
Suddenly, a massive manatee surfaced to take a breath right under his feet. He could not contain his excitement. Unfortunately, that expedition was unable to usher any of the manatees into the prepared traps. 
Then, in about 2020, Dr Cadogan saw a manatee for only the second time in his life. Sadly, this time it was to do an autopsy on one that had become stranded and died in a section of that same area. 
Manatees are closely related to elephants. They are aquatic mammals (water dwellers) with round bodies, paddle-like flippers, and flat tails. Adults can grow up to about four metres long and weigh over 450 Kg. They usually move very slowly, at about 8 Km/h and only survive in warm coastal waters, rivers, estuaries, wetlands, mangroves, calm bays, and seagrass beds. 
In Jamaica, suitable habitats include Black River, Old Harbour Bay, Portland Bight, St Elizabeth, Clarendon, Manchester, St Thomas,  and other sheltered marine environments rich in seagrass, especially along the south coast. A few were reportedly spotted in the north of the island in Trelawny, Portland, and St Ann.  
Manatees eat mainly seagrass, mangrove leaves, and other aquatic vegetation. They drink fresh water from the mouths of rivers. Adults can eat up to 45 kilogrammes daily. Their feeding habits are essential to the maintenance of the environment that provide habitat for fish and other marine life, which are essential for a healthy coastline … the main source of our national income.
Manatees are the lawnmowers and gardeners of coastal and freshwater systems. They keep seagrass beds healthy, prevent lethal seagrass overgrowth, and stop invasive plants (like water hyacinth and others). They support nurseries for fish, crabs, seahorses, clams, sea turtles, and birds. They provide fertiliser for aquatic ecosystems, recycle nutrients, disperse seeds, boost biodiversity, and help carbon sinks function efficiently. Their struggle for survival is a dire warning of a stressed ecosystem.   
These gentle giants generally live between 40 and 60 years in the wild. Because they swim close to the surface of the water, they are very susceptible to boat strikes (the number-one killer of manatees in Florida and Jamaica). Boat strikes damage them by blunt trauma and/or propeller cuts. Their lives may also be shortened by cold snaps, which are sometimes responsible for ‘die-offs’.    
Other causes of their demise include environmental problems that lead to starvation caused by toxic algae and loss of seagrass beds. Sometimes they become entangled in nets and crab traps and drown. Destruction of their habitat because of coastal development, mangrove clearing, damage to the seagrass beds, pollution, marine debris, agricultural runoff, plastics, sewerage, poor water quality, more powerful and more frequent weather phenomena, and rising sea levels all contribute to their declining numbers. 
For centuries, the Taino people used to hunt manatees. The European explorers did the same thing, and eventually, local artisanal fishermen carried out the practice of hunting manatees for their meat, hide, oil, and bones. Because of this unregulated practice, the numbers of manatees declined sharply and significantly until they were fully protected under Jamaica’s Wildlife Protection Act. Breaches may fetch up to J$5 million or five years’ imprisonment.

Garth Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice, and author of ‘The Long and Short of Thick and Thin’. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.