(PHOTOS) MANATEE KILLED IN BAYELSA, AND BUTCHERED AS FOOD FOR ALL.

On 12th September 2017, a Facebook user 'francis Oyonvie' made a post on his Facebook wall

" It was live and direct at my home town  Famgbe community today. When our brother Wilfred Okoko killed manatee locally called (Telemen) ln Yenagoa, Bayelsa state".

Speaking with Francis Oyonvie via telephone, he revealed to Bodmas Kemepadei, that the aquatic life was found trapped in a vast woven fishing net owned by one wilfred okoko, along the Famgbe river, Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa state.

Findings also revealed that the manatees are a common sight in that vicinity, but were gradually going extinct due to lack of conservation and constant attack by humans.

Manatees are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows.

They measure up to 4.0 metres (13.1 ft) long, weigh as much as 590 kilograms (1,300 lb), and have paddle-like flippers. 

Manatees are occasionally called sea cows, as they are slow plant-eaters, peaceful and similar to cows on land.

They often graze on sea plants.

They are found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, bays, estuaries and coastal water. They can live in fresh, brackish or salt water. Manatees prefer waters that are about one to two meters (3-7 feet) deep. Along the coast, manatees tend to travel in water that is about three to five meters (10 - 16 feet) deep, and they are rarely seen in areas over six meters (20 feet) deep. This habitat provides them with sheltered living and breeding areas, a steady, easily obtainable food supply, and warm water -- all of which they need to survive.

In the US, A. Manatees in Florida are protected by both state and federal law. They are protected by two federal laws: The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Manatees are also protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978.

In florida, manatees are conserved in Merritt Island, where people pay a fortune to see them, they serve as tourist attractions and are used to boost economy of the state.

Info on manatee sourced from wikipedia.

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