Ecoparque Peixe Boi Marine Institute
Recife
Save the Mannatee - learn about and support their work. Make sure to include this worthwhile add-on for the family on any trip to the historical Itamaraca island and its beaches.
The Itamaraca Peixe Boi Marine mammals institute is dedicated to the recovery and rehabilitation of mannatees, a docile and lovable marine mammal native to most of the Americas. The popular name 'Peixe Boi' literally means 'Bull fish', due to their size of up to half a ton.
They are totally vegetarian and a highly endangered species, with as few as 400 surviving in the wild along the tropical coastline of South-East and North-East Brazil up to the Amazon basin.
Many mannatees are found by the public and conservationists after being injured by fishing and propellers in the estuaries of the region and are brought to the Ecoparque by the environmental agency ICMBio.
It is a fun and educational activity for the whole family and conveniently situated near to the Praia do Forte beach and Forte Orange on the historical Itamaraca island on north-coast from Recife. Great to make for a different and diverse day trip or longer to the region.
Apart from the main attractions, the tanks with the mannatees, there is a cinema showing educational films and a gift shop onsite with lots of fun souvenirs.
Photo credit: Le Roc (CC)
