Hector M Guzman, Candy K Real

Received: 27 January 2022, Accepted: 3 June 2022, Published: 20 June 2022

Abstract: Dugongs and manatees, herbivorous mammals, play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems. The introduction of manatees into the Panama Canal over 57 years ago to control invasive plants has led to their presence in the Pacific Ocean, challenging their natural habitat. Population estimates, conducted through drone surveys and acoustic monitoring, pose management challenges to prevent their passage into the North Pacific. This case highlights the intricate relationship between human actions and ecological consequences in the coexistence of wildlife in human-altered environments.