Abstract :
Aerial and boat surveys and interviews of coastal residents of Costa Rica suggest that manatees Trichechus manatus manatus are rare, even in regions such as Tortuguero, where they were reported to be fairly numerous in the recent past. Causes of the apparent decline have been suggested by local residents to include illegal hunting, high levels of toxicants in coastal waters, ingestion of plastic banana bags, and increased motorboat traffic. To protect its remaining manatees, Costa Rica must identify and protect manatee habitat, enforce an existing law protecting manatees, and educate people as to why manatee and coastal habitat protection is important. Since manatees in Costa Rica probably travel into adjacent countries (Panamá and Nicaragua), a regional conservation effort will ultimately be needed.
