CITY OF VERACRUZ, MEXICO SAYS "THANKS" FOR EFFORTS TO SAVE MANATEES AND EDUCATE PUBLIC |
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FORT PIERCE, FL., May 22, 2002 - A HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution marine mammal scientist and veterinarian and the conservation outreach program he's established is winning international acclaim. Dr. Greg Bossart, HARBOR BRANCH director of Marine Mammal Research and Education, has been recognized for his efforts by the city government in Veracruz, Mexico, a seaside city on the Gulf of Mexico where manatee conservation efforts are growing. 
He recently returned from Veracruz, where he was a featured speaker at this year's 27th annual International Conference on Marine Mammal Research.
"This is really a multi-dimensional effort and that's what we're being recognized for," Dr. Bossart said, shortly after returning from a four-day tour of aquarium facilities in Veracruz. Dr. Bossart also examined two four-year-old manatees, named "Pablo" and "Silvia", that he's been helping care for since they were brought to the Veracruz Aquarium as young calves. He also examined the latest edition to the Aquarium's manatee family, a young calf approximately three months old that's been named "Angel". There are three components to Dr. Bossart's program. First is the outreach component itself and Dr. Bossart's travels to regions such as Mexico, the Brazilian Amazon, Belize, or French Guyana, often at the request of those foreign governments. The second component is the message of conservation and the importance of preserving native species and their habitats. The third part of the program is the research and education; research on the animals themselves, and then educating the public and other researchers in the region about the animals and their place in the ecosystems they inhabit. "This is really about people helping people help animals," Dr. Bossart said, "lending our expertise to other people so they can make the decisions and take the steps to conserve." 
While in Veracruz, Dr. Bossart was given a Distinguished Visitor Award by the president (mayor) of the city, Jose Ramon Gutieriez De Velasco, for the aid and assistance with the city's manatee program.
"They really have a beautiful facility there, and they do a tremendous job of educating the public - especially the children - about these animals. People come from all over Mexico to view the exhibit," Dr. Bossart said. HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution, Inc., is one of the world's leading nonprofit oceanographic research organizations dedicated to exploration of the earth's oceans, estuaries and coastal regions for the benefit of mankind. |