The Plight of the Manatee

By Julie Ancona

There a numerous issues concerning the environment, but one of the most pressing matters is preserving the lives of animals on the brink of extinction. The manatee, also known as the sea cow, is one of those animals.

The manatee can be found in rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals, and coastal water ways. These mammals tend to wander into areas where there is sea grass and fresh water vegetation, which essential foods in their diet. They are completely herbivorous creatures, and in Florida, there are many groups trying to save this mammal from extinction.

The manatee has been on the endangered species list for 30 years, and in Florida, there are an estimated 2,000 to 2,500 manatee?s living in the surrounding coastal areas. One of the reasons for their brink of extinction is that their genetics are unique, and the low genetic diversity is causing inbreeding, causing some manatees to be more susceptible to disease and climate changes. Though manatees can travel long distances, these mammals are more likely to stay in coastal areas where they are protected from large predators. However, they are slow moving and stay in shallow water, and therefore, become easy prey for shark. Sharks are the main reason that manatees are unable to mate with different bloodlines, but human-beings are also hurrying their extinction process.

Florida has warm waters and long, expansive coasts that invite major tourism. The coasts and warm waters call many people out for boating, jet skiing, and other on water activity that can harm manatees. Lobbying groups in Florida want to get more use out of water ways for their businesses, but the desire to protect and save this animal outweighs the lobbyist?s desires for profits.

Many marinas exist in the waters of Florida. Boaters, who are careless and do not follow boating regulations such as the ?no wake zones,? are hitting these animals as they race through shallow areas, and as a result, many manatees are often found with scars from boat props and careless drivers. Boaters who hit manatee are charged with fines that are non-negotiable, and if a boater hits and leaves a manatee without calling the authorities, they may face jail time.