Situación de una población aislada de manatíes Trichechus manatus (Mammalia: Sirenia: Trichechidae) y conocimiento de la gente, en una laguna urbana, en Tabasco, México

the caribbean manatee (trichechus manatus, linnaeus 1758) is considered an endangered species in mexico and worldwide, due to the marked decrease in its populations in the past and to changes in its habitat. tabasco constitutes one of three important regions of manatee distribution in mexico, but there are multiple factors that threaten its conservation. the isolation of manatees in river-lagoon systems caused by natural and artificial factors is one of the regional conservation problems identified. laguna de las ilusiones is an urban artificially landlocked lake that presents deterioration processes caused by human activities, making a priority to characterise its population of manatees to aid in their management. the objectives of this study were to determine the population, distribution and general behaviour of the manatees and the knowledge of the people with respect to the species in laguna de las ilusiones. interviews, observations from land and boat surveys were carried out to look for manatees in 2005 and 2006. of the people interviewed, 75% knows manatees, and of these 58% have seen them in groups of two to 15 individuals. only 45 % knew that the lake is a natural protected area. manatees were recorded throughout the lake, but in 2005 they were sighted more frequently in the northeastern area. the minimum number of different individuals was 12, including two calves. twelve behaviours were observed, including a response to the boats. the population continues to reproduce, however four deaths were recorded during the study.