Belize Manatees

Description:

 Manatees are an endangered species and the largest manatee population in the Caribbean and Central America is found in Belize.  Turneffe Atoll is believed to be an important foraging are for manatees and the goal of this project is to collect biological data necessary for manatee protection and habitat management.  The research objectives are  to determine the temporal distribution of manatees at Turneffe Atoll, their behavioral ecology, and the environmental parameters of micro-habitats consistently used by manatees.

Headquartered at Blackbird Caye, group members in the company of the researcher will conduct daily boat excursions within the atoll visiting zones of probable manatee concentrations based on past aerial surveys conducted by Oceanic Society.  Once manatees are sighted, we map their position utilizing a global positioning system, note any individual markings, and log information on their behavior.  Environmental variables such as water temperature and salinity will be collected. Volunteers comfortable will snorkeling can assist the researcher with habitat sampling.  When manatees have left the area, quadrats will be laid down in the sea grass beds to determine percentage cover.

 Opportunistically, we will also collect information on bottlenose dolphins, who are found consistently at Turneffe Atoll.

 There will be some free time for beach snorkeling, swimming and bird watching.  Accommodations are in double occupancy, beachfront cabanas. 

The Blackbird Field Station offers comfortable beachfront cabanas, each with an open porch to the sea, in double occupancy rooms with private baths.

Itinerary:

Day 1:
Belize City/Blackbird Caye. Arrive in Belize City and 90-minute boat transfer to Blackbird Caye, Turneffe Atoll.

Day 2 thru 4:
Our focus will be manatee monitoring activies such as photo ID, maping, and vegetation sampling.  Dolphins are found in the same area and opportunistically, we will collect data on dolphin sightings as well.

Day 8:
Blackbird Caye/Belize City. Return to Belize City and fly home

Optional Extensions: