JUST IN TIME: Ochi on the foam padding after rescuers took him out of
the water in Biras Creek, Virgin Gorda - click on picture to read more about it [GIS photo]

Joint effort to save sick Manatee

The Conservation and Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Natural 
Resources and Labour spearheaded diligent and meticulous collaborative 
action last weekend to salvage the life of a frail looking male manatee 
from Biras Creek, Virgin Gorda after it was spotted nearly a month ago 
swimming helplessly in BVI waters.

On Saturday February 1, "Ochi," as excited local observers named him, was caught and taken to the Marine Mammal Laboratory in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the nearest federally authorised manatee rehabilitation facility, where he was placed under 24-hour per day intensive care.

Ochi remains in critical care and is considered near death as of Monday 
February 3. His gastro-intestinal tract had shut down, but he started 
defecating early in the day, which was a positive sign, the Conservation 
and Fisheries Department indicated.

Hanging on to life, Ochi sleeps most of the time and will hopefully regain 
weight and strength. Once the animal survives the first critical days in 
intensive care, he will undergo rehabilitation before being released into 
his natural habitat.

However, he will wear a satellite radio-tracking device to monitor his 
movements and will be featured on the Caribbean Stranding Network (CSN)'s website www.rcv.caribe.net throughout his recuperation.
Marine biological authorities from Conservation and Fisheries and a 
veterinarian from the Agriculture Department will keep close contact with 
officials from the laboratory, as the small complement of staff there needs 
assistance to maintain the stringent vigil.

Minister of Natural Resources and Labour the Hon. Reeial George has been 
formally briefed by the Conservation and Fisheries and the Agriculture 
Departments on the developments and his Ministry will issue updates on 
Ochi's progress in the coming weeks.

About a month ago the Conservation and Fisheries Department began receiving calls from members of the public reporting sightings of the lone "sea cow," the more common name for manatees. Staff from the Department located the animal in Gun Creek, Virgin Gorda last week and took digital photographs to send to the US and Puerto Rico for evaluation.
Local biologists agreed that excessive human interaction and boat traffic 
in the area severely threatened Ochi and were concerned about his overall 
deteriorating health. From the pictures alone, the manatee appeared thin 
and weakened and it was concluded that the animal's life was in grave 
condition, needing immediate attention to survive.

A crew of veterinary experts from CSN flew in from San Juan on the morning 
of February 1 to assist in the rescue operation and within a few hours Ochi 
was captured near the mangroves in Biras Creek. Immediately, he was placed on foam padding under a shaded area where his condition was assessed.

The mammal measured ten feet in length, weighed 650 pounds half the mass of a healthy manatee his size, was severely dehydrated due to lack of freshwater sources, and was given only a 25 percent chance of surviving.
From Biras Creek Resort, Ochi was transported by boat to Spanish Town 
Ferry Dock where a large crowd gathered to watch as a crane lifted him from the vessel and placed him on a flatbed truck to be taken to Virgin Gorda Airport. Two planes were waiting there to fly the specialists, as well as Ochi, back to Puerto Rico.

Ochi could have perished by starvation, by the stress of spectators trying 
to swim with and touch him, or by a boater running over him. It was in the 
best interest of this endangered animal to be removed from the BVI, 
Conservation and Fisheries officials said.
Meanwhile, the subject Ministry has expressed appreciation to individuals 
and organisations for the successful cooperative effort in rescuing Ochi.