The Attitudes and Roles of Indigenous people of Veracruz, Mexico towards Manatees

During a Nova Southeastern University sponsored investigation, principal investigators Dr. Edward Keith and Dr. Eileen M. Smith-Cavros will be conducting research entitled―CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE OF MANATEES AT EL MANATí,VERACRUZ, MEXICO‖ with the assistance of undergraduate researchers (Sylvia Duluc- Silva and Christina Ledon). The fieldwork research will be conducted in order to obtain data regarding the history of the Veracruz manatees that appear to have played an important cultural role to the indigenous peoples of Veracruz. Once the basic interviews with the people are performed for the purposes of the primary research, the undergraduate researchers and the principal investigators will utilize the data, focusing on attitudes and roles of villagers toward manatees and whether these vary by sex of interviewee. The research will involve surveys, direct observation, and participant observation methods