Factors influencing survival of rescued Amazonian manatees (Trichechus inunguis) during clinical rehabilitation in Peru

The Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis), a vulnerable species native to the Amazon River Basin, is threatened by habitat loss, illegal hunting, and pollution. Rehabilitation centers rescue, rear, and release manatees negatively impacted by human activities. Factors characterizing the survival of rescued manatees at these rehabilitation centers remain unclear. We analyzed data from 54 rescued manatees at a rehabilitation center in the Peruvian Amazon, assessing factors hypothesized to be predictors of the probability of survival during the rehabilitation process. We found that initial weight at intake and the rate of weight gain while at the center were significantly associated with a higher probability of survival. Intestinal obstruction, often linked to inappropriate diets prior to rescue, was the leading cause of death while in rehabilitation (13 of 54 individuals; 24%). Early intervention to transport orphaned calves to rescue centers and equipping local authorities with resources for short-term care until transportation is possible could improve rescue outcomes.