Jonathan Perez Rivera from the Puerto Rico Manatee Conservation Center pours water on a wounded manatee after an almost five-hour hour flight from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., to San Juan, Puerto Rico, aboard a C-130 Hercules from the Puerto Rico Air National Guard’s 156th Airlift Wing. The manatee was being transported to its new home in the Puerto Rico Zoo. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz
By Matthew Mientka
An injured five-year-old manatee was one of the more unusual passengers to hitch a ride aboard an Air Force flight in recent days.
Known as Guacara, the endangered marine mammal arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Dec. 10 aboard an Air National Guard C-130 Hercules returning from a training mission at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Authorities had planned to euthanize the animal after a boat strike had left him helpless, unable to surface in the water without help from human handlers.
Other passengers aboard the plane expressed delight with the unique flight. “It was such a great experience having him on the flight with us,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jose Vidal. “It was a once in a lifetime experience and I’m honored we were able to be a part of it.”
Guacara and his staff—two administrators, a veterinarian and six biologists—were greeted by members of the 156th Airlift Wing, including Col. Carlos A. Quinones, the 156th AW commander, and Gen. Antonio J. Vicens, the adjutant general of Puerto Rico.
“The Puerto Rico National Guard is committed to preserve nature and wildlife through its many environmental programs,” Vicens said. “Helping to save this manatee is an example of our dedication to the preservation of our ecosystem.”
Officials then transported the animal to the Puerto Rico National Zoo, where he will serve as a surrogate parent for orphaned manatees in rehabilitation.
Known as Guacara, the endangered marine mammal arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, earlier today aboard an Air National Guard C-130 Hercules returning from a training mission at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Authorities had planned to euthanize the animal after a boat strike had left him helpless, unable to surface in the water without help from human handlers.
Other passengers aboard the plane expressed delight with the unique flight. “It was such a great experience having him on the flight with us,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jose Vidal. “It was a once in a lifetime experience and I’m honored we were able to be a part of it.”
Guacara and his staff—two administrators, a veterinarian and six biologists—were greeted by members of the 156th Airlift Wing, including Col. Carlos A. Quinones, the 156th AW commander, and Gen. Antonio J. Vicens, the adjutant general of Puerto Rico.
“The Puerto Rico National Guard is committed to preserve nature and wildlife through its many environmental programs,” General Vicens said. “Helping to save this manatee is an example of our dedication to the preservation of our ecosystem.”
Officials then transported the animal to the Puerto Rico National Zoo, where he will serve as a surrogate parent for orphaned manatees in rehabilitation.
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