Eybrecht, L.

Manatee sighting on Bonaire

Manatee in the Bonaire National Marine Park

On July 10th, STINAPA ranger Luigi Eybrecht filmed a West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) swimming in the Bonaire National Marine Park. This very well may be the first confirmed sighting of a manatee in Bonaire. Manatees are harmless marine mammals, also called sea cows, that feed on marine plants including seagrass, algae and even mangrove leaves. It is believed that they frequented these waters hundreds of years ago, but due to population declines, are seldom seen in current times. The West Indian manatee subspecies is endangered with an estimated population of 2500 mature individuals, although very little is known about their population and distribution.

Date
2018
Data type
Media
Theme
Education and outreach
Tags
Geographic location
Bonaire
Author

Results of management actions for tern populations on Bonaire

Event: BirdsCaribbean 21st International Conference, Topes de Collantes, Cuba, 13-17 July, 2017

Abstract in scientific journal or proceedings

Five species of terns are reported breeding in Bonaire from April to August. For three years, the species Sternula antillarum, Sterna hirundo, Thalasseus maximus, Thalasseus eurygnatha and in 2017 Sterna dougalli were monitored in southern Bonaire during the breeding season, with the objective of suggesting management actions and increasing reproductive success. Monitoring results showed that the main threat is the presence of feral cats. The hatching success for Thallasseus species and Sterna species was relatively similar over the years. However, there are indications that hatching success for Sternula antillarum colonies on roads has increased from 17% (2014) to 36% (2016) after a pilot program for management of invasive predators began in 2015. On the other hand, native predators on artificial islands have had negative effects, suggesting that the creation of spaced islands is important to avoid large concentrations in small areas that favor predation.

Date
2017
Data type
Scientific article
Theme
Research and monitoring
Geographic location
Bonaire