- Environmentalists reported the death of a dolphin and a manatee in less than a week
A manatee and a dolphin were found dead in Lake Maracaibo, Zulia state, in less than a week. Environmentalists also reported that they rescued a turtle covered in oil.
The manatee, an endangered species, was found on Wednesday, September 11. According to a publication by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Mapache Ecoaventura, the reasons for the death of the newborn animal are unknown.
Environmental activists and fishermen have repeatedly denounced the lake’s pollution, due to causes such as oil spills, garbage and a bacteria called scum that affects the waters of this channel, despite a government recovery plan implemented since 2023.
Environmentalist Adelso Pineda, director of the NGO Fitlosophy, denounced that all the biodiversity of Lake Maracaibo is harmed by this situation.
“They are innocent of all this reality. What is the reality? Well, oil spills in all our scenarios, our coasts and beaches, plastic waste in absurd quantities that have multiplied in recent years,” Pineda said.
He said that, in eight years of presence in these spaces, he had “never” seen this “denigrated and degraded” scene of Lake Maracaibo. He stressed that a putrid smell emanates from the waters that spreads throughout the city, which, he said, has caused the death of several animals.
“We are talking about a manatee, a species that is in danger of extinction. We have already recovered sea turtles with their intestines completely blocked by plastic, we also have cases of flamingos (…) let us remember that in the spaces of Lake Maracaibo we have the largest population of flamingos. It is not unusual to find a flamingo completely covered in oil,” he said.
He stressed that they have managed to create alliances with international companies that are dedicated to producing products suitable for the recovery of these animals, which are not harmful to their health and allow for “much faster and more efficient” work in removing the oily material from their bodies.
Diversity of species endangered by pollution of Lake Maracaibo
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The president of the NGO Mapache Ecoaventura, José Sandoval, said that they have already “lost” count of the animals that have been in danger due to the pollution of the lake.
He said that among the species he has rescued are flamingos, ospreys, herons, turtles, dogs and even a cow.
In June 2024, Environment Minister Josué Lorca told EFE news agency that 76,620 tons of oil-soaked waste had been removed from the lake since mid-2023, when a plan to recover the estuary began.
The official explained that this amount of “petrolized” waste is part of the total of 233,936 tons of garbage collected to date through programs such as Pesca tu plástico, through which fishermen help clean up these waters.
He also indicated that the government is working on joint solutions with authorities from the Colombian department of Norte de Santander, where the lake’s main tributary originates, as well as with representatives from the four Venezuelan states through which the lake passes (Zulia, Mérida, Táchira and Trujillo).
He also said that authorities are developing protocols to try to degrade the algae that predominates in the area, known as verdigris.
Fishermen affected by pollution
Fishermen and shrimp processors in Zulia state reported on August 15 that approximately 300 workers stopped work due to the presence of green algae in the lake from Maracaibo.
They said that the clean-up work on the lake, promoted by the Ministry of the Environment, is not sufficient to control the pollution.
Fishermen and shrimp processors reported that several boats have been affected by the scum in the water. They also complained about the bad smell emanating from the lake.
“We have gone to PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela) and they told us that they would address the issue, but they have ignored us (…) They should at least give us the cleanup (of the lake), which is what we want,” said Abimael Zambrano, a fisherman from Maracaibo, in an interview with Unión Radio. They said that this situation has also spread to several municipalities in the city.
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#Animals #affected #pollution #Lake #Maracaibo
2024-09-15 21:25:37
Uary began. However, many locals and environmental groups argue that the government efforts are insufficient, and they call for more robust actions to address the ongoing pollution crisis.
Environmental Disaster in Lake Maracaibo: Death of a Dolphin and Manatee Highlights Pollution Crisis
In a span of just one week, environmentalists have reported the tragic death of a dolphin and a manatee in Lake Maracaibo, Zulia state, Venezuela. The incidents have sparked outrage and concern over the dire state of pollution in the lake, which has been plagued by oil spills, garbage, and a bacteria called scum.
The manatee, an endangered species, was found dead on September 11, with the exact cause of its death unknown. Environmental activists and fishermen have long complained about the lake’s pollution, despite a government recovery plan implemented since 2023.
A Putrid Smell and a Scene of Despair
Environmentalist Adelso Pineda, director of the NGO Fitlosophy, described the scene in Lake Maracaibo as “denigrated and degraded.” He lamented that the lake’s biodiversity is being harmed by the pollution, which has caused the death of several animals. Pineda highlighted the putrid smell emanating from the waters, which has spread throughout the city.
Oil Spills and Plastic Waste: A Deadly Combination
Pineda emphasized that oil spills, plastic waste, and other pollutants have multiplied in recent years, causing irreparable harm to the lake’s ecosystem. He noted that in eight years of working in the area, he had never seen the lake in such a dire state.
Diversity of Species Endangered by Pollution
The president of the NGO Mapache Ecoaventura, José Sandoval, expressed concern that they have “lost” count of the animals that have been in danger due to the pollution of the lake. Among the species they have rescued are flamingos, ospreys, herons, turtles, dogs, and even a cow.
A Government Plan Falling Short
In June 2024, Environment Minister Josué Lorca announced that 76,620 tons of oil-soaked waste had been removed from the lake since mid-2023, when a plan to recover the est
