Meet The Team: Dr. Antonio A. Mignucci

Dr. Antonio A. Mignucci

For over four decades, Dr. Antonio A. Mignucci has been a leading authority on marine mammal biology, health, and conservation throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. As founder and director of the Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center (CMCC) in Puerto Rico—the only facility of its kind in the region—he has pioneered integrated approaches to marine wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation.

Dr. Mignucci's scientific contributions include over 110 peer-reviewed publications and eight books advancing understanding of manatee population genetics, health trends, and marine mammal parasitology. His research has led to the discovery of new marine mammal viruses and identification of novel cetacean taxa, establishing evidence-based foundations for conservation policy throughout the Americas.

His conservation leadership transformed Puerto Rico's relationship with marine wildlife. The 1991 rescue of Moisés, a young manatee, catalyzed a public movement that ended manatee hunting and created a replicable model for science-driven conservation campaigns. In 2007, he co-founded Peru's Amazon Rescue Center, which has rescued 68 Amazonian manatees, released 33, and educated over 300,000 people. He currently advises rehabilitation center development in Belize and Cameroon.

As Professor of Marine Sciences at Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Dr. Mignucci has mentored hundreds of students who now lead marine conservation programs throughout developing regions. He serves as Co-Chair of the 26th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals—the first held in Latin America.

His impact has been recognized with the U.S. EPA Environmental Quality Award, Scuba Diving Magazine's "Sea Hero" distinction, and consecutive Global Humane "Humane Hero" awards.