Amazonian manatees, Trichechus inunguis, in Peru: Distribution, exploitation, and conservation status
Randall R. Reeves
Stephen Leatherwood
Thomas A. Jefferson
Babara E. Curry
Thomas Henningsen
Abstract
Amazonian manatees, Trichechus inunguis, are regularly hunted and trapped in the blackwater lakes and streams within and near the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in northeastern Peru. Much of the exploitation of manatees in this region is ancillary to the capture of paiche, Arapaima gigas. Manatees are also hunted opportunistically and taken incidentally in fishing gear elsewhere in Peru. While the current conservation status of manatees is uncertain, there is no doubt that their effective range has shrunk and their numbers have declined to a considerable extent. Although the species has been legally protected since 1973, exploitation for local consumption of meat has continued without any practical restrictions. If human activities are not managed to reduce their impact on manatees, these valuable animals will be extirpated throughout an ever-greater percentage of their range.
Cite this activity
Reeves R.R., Leatherwood S., Jefferson T.A., Curry B.E. and Henningsen T. (1996) Amazonian manatees, Trichechus inunguis, in Peru: Distribution, exploitation, and conservation status. Interciencia 21(6): 246-254.
@article{Reeves1996,
Title = {Amazonian manatees, Trichechus inunguis, in Peru: Distribution, exploitation, and conservation status},
Author = {Reeves, Randall R. and Leatherwood, Stephen and Jefferson, Thomas A. and Curry, Babara E. and Henningsen, Thomas},
Editor = {},
Journal = {Interciencia},
Year = {1996},
Pages = {246-254},
Volume = {21},
Abstract = {Amazonian manatees, Trichechus inunguis, are regularly hunted and trapped in the blackwater lakes and streams within and near the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in northeastern Peru. Much of the exploitation of manatees in this region is ancillary to the capture of paiche, Arapaima gigas. Manatees are also hunted opportunistically and taken incidentally in fishing gear elsewhere in Peru. While the current conservation status of manatees is uncertain, there is no doubt that their effective range has shrunk and their numbers have declined to a considerable extent. Although the species has been legally protected since 1973, exploitation for local consumption of meat has continued without any practical restrictions. If human activities are not managed to reduce their impact on manatees, these valuable animals will be extirpated throughout an ever-greater percentage of their range.},
}
TY - JOUR
AU - Reeves, Randall R.
AU - Leatherwood, Stephen
AU - Jefferson, Thomas A.
AU - Curry, Babara E.
AU - Henningsen, Thomas
TI - Amazonian manatees, Trichechus inunguis, in Peru: Distribution, exploitation, and conservation status
T2 - Interciencia
PY - 1996
SP - 246-254
VL - 21
AB - Amazonian manatees, Trichechus inunguis, are regularly hunted and trapped in the blackwater lakes and streams within and near the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in northeastern Peru. Much of the exploitation of manatees in this region is ancillary to the capture of paiche, Arapaima gigas. Manatees are also hunted opportunistically and taken incidentally in fishing gear elsewhere in Peru. While the current conservation status of manatees is uncertain, there is no doubt that their effective range has shrunk and their numbers have declined to a considerable extent. Although the species has been legally protected since 1973, exploitation for local consumption of meat has continued without any practical restrictions. If human activities are not managed to reduce their impact on manatees, these valuable animals will be extirpated throughout an ever-greater percentage of their range.
ER -
