The Manatees

The Manatees

About
Manatees (Trichechus manatus) are native to Florida, and are a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. Manatees can be found in Florida’s coastal and inland waters, such as rivers and springs. Manatees can be up to 14 feet long and weigh up to 3,000 pounds. Manatees are distant relatives of Elephants, and belong to the Sirenian order, which is the only group of herbivorous marine mammals.

Importance
They feed on seagrasses and other aquatic plants, helping to keep the vegetation in check to prevent overgrowth from disrupting the habitat balance. Manatees depend on clean water to survive, and if the water is not safe for them, then it’s not safe for us.

Threats
Their sweet and curious nature has made them victims of human activity, such as being struck by boats. Pollution is also a leading cause of manatee death, which degrades the water quality and leads to toxic algae blooms. This pollution is from wastewater, agricultural, pesticides, and development runoff. These mammals are heavily protected under Florida laws, and it is illegal to touch them.

How Can I Help?
To learn more about manatees, see what is being done to protect them, and how you can get involved, here are a few Florida-based organizations that focus on protecting these animals:

The Florida Wildlife Federation is a statewide non-profit conservation organization that seeks to safeguard Florida’s wildlife, wild spaces and water. They are committed to “taking action today to prevent irreversible loss tomorrow.” This organization helps to provide ways for Floridians to get involved and have a say in what happens to our state, whether that’s volunteering with them, participating in events, and staying engaged in policies.

Save The Manatee Club is an award-winning nonprofit based in Longwood, Florida. This organization is leading the mission to protect and conserve manatees and their aquatic ecosystems. This club is great for adopting a manatee or getting involved through volunteer work.

Friends of Manatee Lagoon is a nonprofit organization seeks to educate the public and aid in the conservation efforts for manatees as a valuable resource and support system. They rehabilitate manatees, offer volunteer opportunities and hold events.

Sources – discovercrystalriverfl.com, savethemanatee.org, mmc.gov