A baby manatee needs a name, and area kids are being asked to help.
The Institute of Biodiversity and Natural Protected Areas (Ibanqroo) and the International Foundation for Nature and Sustainability are looking for options for a rescued manatee.
The baby mammal was found Aug. 6 in Laguna Milagros, in the municipality of Othón P. Blanco, Quintana Roo.
The call is directed to children between 7 and 12 who can propose one name for the male manatee calf. The proposal provides a brief explanation of the reason that encouraged them to choose that name.
The call for entries will be open until Monday, Sept. 13 and the proposal must be delivered physically to the Ibanqroo facilities or to ppbaqroo@gmail.com with the subject line “Concurso Ponle Nombre al Bebé Manatí” (Name the Baby Manatee Contest).
The baby, of the species Trichechus manatus, is currently in rehabilitation at the Center for Attention and Rehabilitation of Aquatic Mammals (CARMA) in Laguna Guerrero, Quintana Roo.
The baby manatee was found stranded by a group of residents of the town of Laguna Milagros. After several hours they realized that the mother was not going to arrive so they decided to call authorities who transferred the specimen to CARMA’s facilities.
The calf is in good health. He measures 92 centimeters in length, and since its last medical exam has increased 4 cm in total length and gained 2.5 kilograms in weight.
Rafael Robles de Benito, Ibanqroo’s director, explained that the specimen is behaving normally and is active.
