Stop mistreating manatees in National Park – PAC warns public

The Protected Areas Commission (PAC) is advising the general public to stop any form of harmful interaction with the manatees in the National Park, particularly after the emergence of disturbing social media footage of the abuse of these marine animals.
In its advisory to the general public on Wednesday, March 25, the Protected Areas Commission strongly condemned the actions of the individuals involved in the abuse of the manatees, noting that these animals are sensitive aquatic animals that deserve to be handled with care and respect.
According to the Protected Areas Commission, any form of interaction with these animals, including touching, congesting, and feeding the animals with unsuitable materials, not only goes against ethical standards but also puts the survival of the animals at great risk, as the animals may suffer indigestion if they are given plastics, which may cause death, and may also suffer greatly if they are physically touched, as this may cause significant harm to the physiology of the animals.
The PAC has reinforced a number of mandatory regulations for the visitors of the National Park, which include a zero-tolerance policy for littering, a strict ban on physical harassment of wildlife, and a set of guidelines for controlled feeding of the wildlife.
They also stressed that visitors should only provide fresh grass or any approved vegetation for the consumption of the manatees, as human food, sweet drinks, and ice are very toxic for the wildlife.
In relation to the series of incidents that happened, the PAC stressed that they are working closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and all the proper authorities regarding this matter and that they will take all necessary actions against the culprits.
Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to this noble cause of wildlife conservation, the Commission stressed that the National Park is a sanctuary for the protection of Guyana’s natural heritage, and they are appealing to all visitors and citizens at large to ensure that the park remains a peaceful environment for all.