Friends of the Manatee Association was created in 2000 in Manaus – Brazil, for promoting research, protection and conservation of the five aquatic mammals of the Amazon.
Our focus is to provide society with a healthy relationship with the fauna of the Amazon Basin. We work with individuals and organizations to ensure that animal species and their populations coexist in their natural environment in a harmonious relationship with local communities.
The AMPA is consolidated as one of the main partners of the National Institute of Amazonian Research – INPA, an authority of the Ministry of Science Technology, Innovation and Communications – MCTIC, in the protection of the aquatic mammals of the Amazon. This partnership maintains a group of animals rescued from animal trafficking, in the research and visitation park of INPA in Manaus-AM, and functions as a rehabilitation center for animals seized from the illegal trade.