Actualización de datos sobre la distribución del manatí (Trichechus manatus manatus) en los sistemas fluvio-lagunares que conectan con la laguna de Términos, Campeche, a través de la participación comunitaria

The manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) is an aquatic mammal that is in danger of extinction. An important population of this species is found in the fluvio-lagoon systems that connect with the Terminos Lagoon, Campeche, where there is also a great human activity that negatively affects the manatee. Therefore, since 2011, in the Terminos Lagoon Natural Protected Area, the process of involving the local population in the conservation and recording of the manatee began. From 2011 to 2016, 99 environmental education and social participation workshops were held and attended by 2,679 people. The local population made 67 sightings of manatees, mainly in the Atasta Lagoon and the Candelaria and Palizada Rivers. In 56.7% of the cases, the sightings corresponded to a single individual and 14.9% to 2 individuals. Through citizen participation, a database was obtained that made it possible to update the information on the spatial and temporal distribution of the manatee that would otherwise have been lost. We managed to establish a manatee conservation culture and have inputs to implement their conservation and management program in the Terminos Lagoon Natural Protected Area.