Ciénaga de Zapata National Park is the largest wetland system in the Caribbean and one of the region’s most ecologically important landscapes. Its extensive network of rivers, lagoons, mangroves, and flooded forests provides critical habitat for the Greater Caribbean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus), a species listed as Endangered at the regional level. Although the Park is designated as a National Park, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and RAMSAR Site, effective manatee conservation has been constrained by the complexity of the habitat, the species’ low detectability, and increasing anthropogenic pressures, including fishing activities, vessel traffic, and planned development. These challenges have limited the availability of reliable baseline information needed to support adaptive management and conservation planning. In complex wetland systems such as Ciénaga de Zapata, traditional monitoring approaches often fail to provide the data required to inform management decisions. Dense vegetation, shallow waters, and low visibility make manatees extremely difficult to detect using conventional boat-based visual surveys. As a result, large areas of the Park have remained data-poor, increasing the risk that important manatee habitats are overlooked in management and development processes. To address these limitations, this project aimed to improve manatee detectability, generate baseline data on habitat use, and strengthen community engagement in conservation actions within Ciénaga de Zapata National Park. In 2025, we implemented an integrated monitoring strategy combining systematic boat-based surveys, aerial drone (UAV) surveys, and citizen-science monitoring carried out by recreational fishing guides who operate daily within the Park. In parallel, community-based conservation actions, in collaboration with the local development project "Libre Imagen," were implemented to reduce human-related threats and promote long-term local stewardship.

The results highlighted the importance of using complementary monitoring tools in challenging environments. Despite substantial effort, boat-based visual surveys alone failed to detect any manatees during the study period. In contrast, drone surveys proved highly effective, detecting nine individual manatees, including calves, in the Hatiguanico River and Laguna del Tesoro. Notably, these detections occurred in areas that had already been surveyed by boat without success, demonstrating the added value of aerial perspectives for monitoring cryptic aquatic mammals in vegetated and shallow habitats.Citizen-science monitoring provided a critical additional layer of information. Recreational fishing guides documented multiple independent manatee sightings over time, offering continuous temporal coverage that would not have been possible through periodic scientific surveys alone. These observations confirmed manatee presence in priority habitats and helped identify areas of repeated use.

Together, drone surveys and citizen-science data generated the first integrated, field-validated baseline information on manatee occurrence and habitat use within key sectors of the National Park, representing a major step toward evidence-based management. Community engagement was a central component of the project. Fishing guides, residents, educators, and children actively participated in conservation activities designed to raise awareness and reduce threats to manatees. A key outcome of this participatory approach was the design, production, and installation of interpretive signs at strategic locations along major waterways. These signs promote reduced vessel speeds in manatee areas and provide guidance on appropriate responses to strandings or accidental captures, directly addressing some of the most common human-related threats to the species. Equally important, the participatory process strengthened local ownership of conservation actions. By involving community members directly in monitoring and outreach, the project reinforced the role of local stakeholders as stewards of the Park’s natural resources, an essential element for conservation success in remote and complex landscapes where enforcement alone is insufficient.

Overall, the project demonstrates that integrating drone-based monitoring with citizen-science networks is essential for effective manatee conservation in complex wetland systems. The approach is practical, cost-effective, and scalable, and provides a replicable model for other protected areas facing similar monitoring challenges. By improving detection, generating baseline ecological data, and embedding community engagement into conservation practice, the project supports adaptive, evidence-based management. The work directly supports the objectives of the United Nations Environment Programme Caribbean Environment Programme and the SPAW Protocol by strengthening monitoring capacity, enhancing stakeholder participation, and contributing to the implementation of the Regional Marine Mammal Action Plan and the Regional Manatee Conservation Plan. Through the combined use of innovative technology and community-driven conservation, this project contributes meaningful and lasting outcomes for the protection of endangered manatees in the Wider Caribbean region.