The florida manatee is a large aquatic relative of the elephant. They are grayish brown in color and have thick, wrinkled skin on which there is often a growth of algae. Their front flippers help them steer or sometimes crawl through shallow water. They also have powerful flat tails that help propel them through the water. Despite their small eyes and lack of outer ears, manatees are thought to see and hear quite well.
The largest population of manatees is found in Florida, where there are over 3,000 individuals. Destruction and degradation of their coastal and freshwater habitat. The leading known cause of death is by boat strikes; propellers and hulls inflict serious or mortal wounds. Most manatees have a pattern of scars on their backs or tails after surviving collisions with boats. Scientists use these patterns to identify individuals. Manatees are also vulnerable to cold water. They have been found crushed or drowned in flood-control gates and suffer harm from exposure to toxic red tide. In addition, a large number of manatees die from unknown causes each year.
Florida manatees are federally listed as Endangered and state listed as Endangered. *Endangered Species Act; **Marine Mammal Protection Act; Florida Endangered and Threatened Species Act; Florida Administrative Code; Florida Marine Sanctuary Act; ***CITES Appendix 1.
So as a Floridian I wanted to know how I can get educated on how to help the manatees in my areas…
1st As a boater on the inter-coastal waterways, I need to be alert and aware of my boating skills…my boat should stay wake-less while traveling in the waterway so that the manatees have time to react to my boat.
2nd As a captain and scuba instructor I should inform my customers about the manatees and remind them to not harass the manatees
and 3rd refer to the website Defenders of Wildlife to give me and others ideas on how to help the species get some attention from the public, media, and government.
There is VICTORY for the Florida Manatees…
Thanks to the encouragement of many wildlife supporters and Florida Governor Charlie Crist’s leadership, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted on December 5th to delay action on the proposal to to downlist the manatee on the state’s imperiled species list and requested a thorough reexamination of Florida’s criteria for evaluating and safeguarding its imperiled species.
The Commission’s decision to maintain the manatee’s endangered status until a full review of the state’s listing criteria can take place represents a huge victory for our manatees and for Florida’s wildlife in general. Addressing the state’s flawed classification system will help ensure that all imperiled species in the Sunshine State receive the protections they need. The Commission also adopted a new management plan that will aid recovery of the manatee.
The manatee is a special, iconic species that people around the nation associate with Florida. With a record-breaking 417 deaths documented in 2006, it is clear that this species remains at risk and requires the highest level of state protections. With Governor Crist’s and the Commission’s continued commitment, Defenders will continue to work hard to ensure that the manatee and other imperiled members of Florida’s unique ecosystems receive the attention and protections they deserve.
Thanks for getting educated about manatees!
by Nikole
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