Today I witnessed something very unusual and honestly shocking. A local fisherman set out early in the morning to check his fishnet, just like he does every day. But instead of the usual tilapia, catfish, or smaller river creatures, he discovered something very different and unexpected trapped in his net.
It was a huge manatee (some people here also call it a “sea cow”). I had only heard about this animal before, but seeing it physically left me in surprise. Its body was massive, with flippers and a flat tail. Sadly, it didn’t survive the struggle in the net, and the fishermen had to pull it out with much effort.For those who may not know, a manatee is a slow-moving aquatic mammal that feeds mainly on plants. They are gentle and calm creatures, not harmful to people. In some cultures, they are seen as a rare blessing, while in others they are strictly protected because of how few of them remain in the world today.Standing there by the riverbank and watching this scene unfold made me think deeply. On one hand, the fisherman didn’t intend to catch this animal — it just got trapped while he was fishing. But on the other hand, it reminded me of how much human activities affect wildlife in ways we don’t always plan for.The water around the catch turned red, and people gathered to look at it in amazement. Some had never seen a manatee before, while the older ones recalled seeing them years ago in these waters. It shows that even though they are rare, they still exist quietly in our rivers, hiding from human eyes until accidents like this bring them out.This morning’s experience left me with mixed feelings. It was a strange sight, yes, but also a lesson. Nature still has mysteries around us, and it is important we learn to respect and protect it where we can. These creatures are part of the balance of our environment, and losing them would mean losing something very unique.
