Manatee conservation

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This individual inspects a kayak situation Manatee - Blue Spring State Park.JPG
This individual inspects a kayak situation

Manatees are large marine mammals that inhabit slow rivers, canals, saltwater bays, estuaries, and coastal areas. They are a migratory species, inhabiting the Florida waters during the winter and moving as far north as Virginia and into the Chesapeake Bay, sometimes seen as far north as Baltimore, Maryland and as far west as Texas in the warmer summer months. Manatees are calm herbivores that spend most of their time eating, sleeping, and traveling. They have a lifespan of about 60 years [1] with no known natural enemies. Some of their deaths are the result of human activity. In the past, manatees were exploited for their meat, fat, and hides. [2]

Contents

Sources of danger

Various human activities threaten manatee populations. There is some cultural significance in certain areas of South America and the Caribbean that manatees are used as a food source since pre-Columbian times. In these areas and the Amazon basin manatees are a center point if folklore and local myths since before European expansion. While manatees are not hunted as a food source in many areas there is a history of hunting and poaching in areas such as Brazil and the West Indies. [3] Fishing nets and lines can cause injuries to manatees that can lead to serious infections. Studies have shown that around 14% of manatees since 1978 have been found with debris in their GI tract which mainly consisted of fishing lines. Some manatees have also been shown to have missing or scared fins due to their entanglement in these fishing lines. [4]

Some manatee deaths are the result of collisions with boats. In a study done in Florida in 2002 it was found that collisions with boats makes up 25% of deaths of manatees but when surveyed the boaters in Florida responded positively to learning more about manatee conservation and their habits in boating areas. [5] Additionally, fertilizer runoff, leaking septic tanks, waste water discharges can trigger algae blooms which kills off a lot of seagrass which manatees depend on for food. [6] One study has found that metal concentration in the blood of manatees found in Florida and Belize needs to be studied and needs a baseline of metal concentrations. It was found that there were significant differences in certain metals such as copper and zinc for manatees in different areas as well as differences in wild and rehabilitating, captured manatees. These differences provide necessary information about the health of manatees for clinicians in rehabilitation centers in order to properly care for the manatees. [7]

Manatees tend to gather in the warm water outflows of power plants and springs during cold weather. Manatees are not adaptable to colder waters, therefore, if they do not make it to warmer waters in time for winter they can undergo cold stress. These animals have an exceptionally low metabolic rate and poor insulation which in turns does not allow them to thermoregulate in cold waters. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, the 2023 Preliminary Manatee Mortality Report shows that the main reasons for manatee mortality was boat collisions and cold stress. [8] Manatees have shown in certain studies that manatee cognition is very good and that have much more complex social skills than previously known and requires more research to be done. [9]

Starting in the 18th century when the English declared Florida a manatee sanctuary and made manatee hunting illegal, people have worked to protect this species. In 1893, manatees first received protection under Florida law, and in 1907 this law was revised to impose a fine of $500 and/or six months of jail time for assaulting or killing a manatee. [10] In accordance with the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966, an act of Congress designed to list endangered animal species and offer them limited protection, the manatee became one of 78 original species listed as being threatened with extinction. There are currently more than 1300 species on this list. [11] On March 11, 1967, federal efforts to protect the manatee began when the United States Fish and Wildlife Service listed the manatee as endangered on the ICUN Red List. [10]

In 1972, the manatee was designated a marine mammal protected under the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. This act prohibited the removal of any marine mammal and imposed a fine of up to $2000 and/or one year in jail for doing so. [12] The Endangered Species Act of 1969 was revised in 1973 and increased federal protection of manatees. The “act made it a violation to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, capture, or collect an endangered species…authorized cooperative agreements between states and the federal government with funding management, research and law enforcement.” [12] This act also includes touching or feeding an endangered species. If manatees were getting fed from people, especially people on boats, that gives the manatee a positive reaction with people and boats and would more cause them to approach those things more. This in turn would cause further mortality form boat collisions and/or net entanglement.

In 1974, the Sirenia Project was established in Gainesville, Florida to provide manatee documentation and rescue programs. In 1976, Sea World of Florida began a Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Program. [12] The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act passed in 1978, amending the 1907 state law. Florida became an official refuge and sanctuary for the marine mammals, and the regulation of boat speeds in areas of manatee inhabitation became allowed. [12] In that same year, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Audubon Society, and Sea World also sponsored the “West Indian Manatee Workshop” in which six management recommendations were proposed: regulations to control boaters and divers, land acquisition for refuges, study of potential artificial refuges, explore technological control mechanisms to protect manatees, develop oil spill contingency plans, and increase public education. [12]

In 1979, Florida Governor Bob Graham made November Manatee Awareness Month, and the first state-designated protection zones were established. [12] The year 1980 saw Congress allocate $100, 000 to the Marine Mammal Commission and the development of the initial Federal Manatee Recovery Plan by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [12] In 1981, Bob Graham and Jimmy Buffett formed the Save the Manatee Committee, the precursor of the Save the Manatee Club, which sought to protect manatees and their habitats. [12] Both the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act were reauthorized in 1988 as various new groups, companies, and organizations began to invest time and resources in the protection of the manatee. [12] The early 1990s saw more government money being allocated to the cause, more research being conducted, and more protection plans being implemented. [12]

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revised the Manatee Recovery Plan Objectives in 1996 to include the following: assess and minimize causes of manatee mortality and injury, protect essential habitat, determine and monitor the status of the manatee population and essential habitat, coordinate, and oversee cooperative recovery work. [12] Throughout the early 2000s (decade), various counties in Florida continued to revise and/or create specific conservation plans in conjunction with federal and statewide efforts. [12]

As of January 7, 2016, as a result of significant improvements in its population and habitat conditions, and reductions in direct threats, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the West Indian manatee is proposed to be downlisted from endangered to threatened status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The proposal to downlist the manatee to threatened will not affect federal protections currently afforded by the ESA, and the Service remains committed to conservation actions to fully recover manatee populations. The range-wide minimum known population is estimated to be at least 13,000 manatees, with more than 6,300 in Florida. When aerial surveys began in 1991, there were only an estimated 1,267 manatees in Florida, meaning that the last 25 years has seen a 400 percent increase in the species population in that state. [13] [14]

However, there has been an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) beginning in December 2020 where more manatee carcasses and more manatees requiring rescues were appearing at a higher rate. Preliminary data released from Florida Wildlife Conservation showed a total of 1,191 manatee mortalities in 2021. This number is nearly twice the total of mortality in 2020. Although some of these mortalities were due to cold stress or boat collisions, a majority of them were from starvation due to loss of sea grass. It has been hypothesized that poor water quality in surrounding areas has led to a mass mortality in seagrass. [15] Due to this, it has been largely debated by many environmental organizations if these manatees should be put back on the endangered species list.

Organizations

Various institutes help promote awareness of the threats faced by manatees, raise money for manatee research, and generally work to ensure the survival of this endangered species. One of the largest and most influential organizations is the Save the Manatee Club. This non-profit organization was created by Bob Graham and Jimmy Buffett as a means of including the public in manatee conservation. [16] The club sponsors an Adopt-A-Manatee program that uses it funds for “public awareness and education projects; manatee research; rescue and rehabilitation efforts; and advocacy and legal action in order to ensure better protection for manatees and their habitat.” [16] It also sponsors various public awareness, education, and volunteer activities. [16]

Sirenian International is another organization dedicated to the conservation of manatees. [17] The group considers itself a “partnership of scientists, students, educators, conservationists, and the public” that sponsors various projects throughout the world. [17] Membership is divided into three groups based upon financial contributions and active service to the organization: participating member, supporting member, and contributing member. [17]

SeaWorld of Florida has played a major role in the efforts to protect and conserve the manatees. Sea World has the authority to rescue and rehabilitate manatees, and has had a great deal of success doing so. [18] [19] The theme park has an exhibit titled “Manatees: The Last Generation?” aimed at educating guests about the importance of protecting this endangered species. [20]

One of the most popular efforts to raise money for manatee research and conservation is the sale of license plates by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The proceeds of these sales make up a large percentage of the funds dedicated to this cause, having raised $34,000,000 since 1990. [21] Money collected from decal sales, boat registration fees, and voluntary donations also contribute to the Save the Manatee Trust Fund. [21] A newly redesigned license plate was released in December 2007. [21]

Manatee Appreciation Day is celebrated on the last Wednesday of March in the United States. Florida celebrates Manatee Awareness Month during November, [22] which has been endorsed by comedian Alec Baldwin. [23]

Conservation in Other Countries

The conservation of manatees is not only an issue in the US, as anthropogenic actions have caused the decline of this species worldwide. In order to curve the decline of these animals, more conservation efforts have sprouted in other nations.

For example, Belize houses some of the largest populations of the Antillean manatees in the Caribbean, and so their influence on these animals is fairly large. Initially monitoring of the animals showed that the manatee population size was stagnant, so there was no loss in numbers, but also no increase, and with the increase of human influence, the populations were likely to suffer in the future. In order to combat and prevent the loss of these animals, the Belize government has created special laws to protect the manatees. One example would be the Manatee Protection Ordinances, which prohibit any human interactions that could be harmful to these animals, like feeding them, hunting them or chasing them. Belize also has the Wildlife Protection Act, which was established in 1981, and calls for the protection of the manatees under section 4. This protection of the manatees and their lands has allowed for their populations to be sustained. [24]

In other countries, the focus has been more on the repopulation side of conservation. For example, in Mexico, zoos and parks have taken injured and dying manatees in and rehabilitated them. These parks have taken in manatees from around the Caribbean and helped them to heal from the injuries they sustained. While in captivity, a captive breeding program was started to try and encourage the growth of these populations. Some have been successful but due to the nature of the manatee reproduction process, it is not the most sustainable way to increase the population size. Because of this, they are also enacting laws to try and protect the manatees and their habitats so less animals will need to be rehabilitated to recover from injuries sustained from humans. [25]

Another example of some manatee conservation efforts in the Atlantic can be seen in Brazil with their Manatee Reintroduction Programme. For this project, the Brazilian government rehabilitated six manatees and then released them with trackers. These trackers allowed the scientists to see where the manatees spent most of their time. This allowed the government officials to plan out conservation areas that would be most beneficial to these species and enact laws to protect them. [26]

More laws and programs like these can be seen throughout the Caribbean and the oceans the manatees inhabit, as these species are endangered and need to be protected in order to guarantee their survival.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manatee</span> Genus of mammals

Manatees are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows. There are three accepted living species of Trichechidae, representing three of the four living species in the order Sirenia: the Amazonian manatee, the West Indian manatee, and the West African manatee. They measure up to 4.0 metres long, weigh as much as 590 kilograms (1,300 lb), and have paddle-like tails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sirenia</span> Order of aquatic herbivorous mammals

The Sirenia, commonly referred to as sea cows or sirenians, are an order of fully aquatic, herbivorous mammals that inhabit swamps, rivers, estuaries, marine wetlands, and coastal marine waters. The extant Sirenia comprise two distinct families: Dugongidae and Trichechidae with a total of four species. The Protosirenidae and Prorastomidae families are extinct. Sirenians are classified in the clade Paenungulata, alongside the elephants and the hyraxes, and evolved in the Eocene 50 million years ago (mya). The Dugongidae diverged from the Trichechidae in the late Eocene or early Oligocene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine mammal</span> Mammals that rely on marine environments for feeding

Marine mammals are aquatic mammals that rely on the ocean and other marine ecosystems for their existence. They include animals such as cetaceans, pinnipeds, sirenians, sea otters and polar bears. They are an informal group, unified only by their reliance on marine environments for feeding and survival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irrawaddy dolphin</span> Species of mammal

The Irrawaddy dolphin is a euryhaline species of oceanic dolphin found in scattered subpopulations near sea coasts and in estuaries and rivers in parts of the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia. It closely resembles the Australian snubfin dolphin, which was not described as a separate species until 2005. It has a slate blue to a slate gray color. Although found in much of the riverine and marine zones of South and Southeast Asia, the only concentrated lagoon populations are found in Chilika Lake in Odisha, India and Songkhla Lake in southern Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endangered Species Act of 1973</span> United States law

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is the primary law in the United States for protecting and conserving imperiled species. Designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation", the ESA was signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973. The Supreme Court of the United States described it as "the most comprehensive legislation for the preservation of endangered species enacted by any nation". The purposes of the ESA are two-fold: to prevent extinction and to recover species to the point where the law's protections are not needed. It therefore "protect[s] species and the ecosystems upon which they depend" through different mechanisms. For example, section 4 requires the agencies overseeing the Act to designate imperiled species as threatened or endangered. Section 9 prohibits unlawful ‘take,’ of such species, which means to "harass, harm, hunt..." Section 7 directs federal agencies to use their authorities to help conserve listed species. The Act also serves as the enacting legislation to carry out the provisions outlined in The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Supreme Court found that "the plain intent of Congress in enacting" the ESA "was to halt and reverse the trend toward species extinction, whatever the cost." The Act is administered by two federal agencies, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). FWS and NMFS have been delegated by the Act with the authority to promulgate any rules and guidelines within the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to implement its provisions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amazonian manatee</span> Species of mammal

The Amazonian manatee is a species of manatee that lives in the Amazon Basin in Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. It has thin, wrinkled brownish or gray colored skin, with fine hairs scattered over its body and a white chest patch. It is the smallest of the three extant species of manatee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Indian manatee</span> The largest living sirenian in the world

The West Indian manatee, also known as the North American manatee, is a large, aquatic mammal native to warm coastal areas of the Caribbean, from the eastern US to northern Brazil. Living alone or in herds, it feeds on underwater plants and uses its whiskers to navigate. It is divided into two endangered subspecies, the Florida manatee in the US and the Antillean manatee in the Caribbean, both of which face pressure from habitat loss, pollution, and other human activity. The West Indian manatee is the largest living member of the sirenians, a group of large aquatic mammals that includes the dugong, other manatees, and the extinct Steller's sea cow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation status</span> Indication of the chance of a species extinction, regardless of authority used

The conservation status of a group of organisms indicates whether the group still exists and how likely the group is to become extinct in the near future. Many factors are taken into account when assessing conservation status: not simply the number of individuals remaining, but the overall increase or decrease in the population over time, breeding success rates, and known threats. Various systems of conservation status are in use at international, multi-country, national and local levels, as well as for consumer use such as sustainable seafood advisory lists and certification. The two international systems are by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System</span> Marine region in Central America

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS), also popularly known as the Great Mayan Reef or Great Maya Reef, is a marine region that stretches over 1,126 kilometres (700 mi) along the coasts of four countries – Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras – from Isla Contoy at the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula south to Belize, Guatemala and the Bay Islands of Honduras. The reef system includes various protected areas and parks including the Belize Barrier Reef, Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Belize), Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve, and the Cayos Cochinos Marine Park. Belize's coastline, including the Belize Barrier Reef, is home to approximately 30% of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine Mammal Protection Act</span> Act of the United States Congress in 1972

The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was the first act of the United States Congress to call specifically for an ecosystem approach to wildlife management.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation in Belize</span>

Since declaring independence in 1981, Belize has enacted many environmental protection laws aimed at the preservation of the country's natural and cultural heritage, as well as its wealth of natural resources. These acts have established a number of different types of protected areas, with each category having its own set of regulations dictating public access, resource extraction, land use and ownership.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Mignucci</span> Puerto Rican scientist

Antonio A. Mignucci is a biological oceanographer and veterinary technician specializing in the biology, management and conservation of marine mammals. He is the founder of the international non-profit conservation organization Red Caribeña de Varamientos dedicated to the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of injured or stranded marine mammals, sea turtle and sea birds. As a scientist, Mignucci is an expert in endangered tropical marine mammals and a specialist in the West Indian manatee, and since 2009, the director of the Puerto Rico Manatee Conservation Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife law in Belize</span> Wildlife Protection Act

After declaring independence in 1981, Belize enacted the Wildlife Protection Act, which is the main source of wildlife law in Belize. Wildlife in Belize is defined as any undomesticated mammal, reptile or bird, amphibian and any egg, nest or part or product thereof. Although Belize is only two hundred miles (320 km) long and a little more than sixty miles (97 km) wide, it hosts a remarkable abundance of flora and fauna. It is the home of more than 150 species of mammals, 549 birds, 150 amphibians and reptiles, nearly 600 species of freshwater and marine fish and 3,408 species of vascular plants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endangered species</span> Species of organisms facing a very high risk of extinction

An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and invasive species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List lists the global conservation status of many species, and various other agencies assess the status of species within particular areas. Many nations have laws that protect conservation-reliant species which, for example, forbid hunting, restrict land development, or create protected areas. Some endangered species are the target of extensive conservation efforts such as captive breeding and habitat restoration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Save the Manatee Club</span> U.S. nonprofit organization

Save the Manatee (SMC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit group and membership organization dedicated to the conservation of manatees. The organization was founded in 1981 by singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett, and Governor of Florida (and later U.S. Senator) Bob Graham. There are currently about 40,000 active members of SMC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Threats to sea turtles</span>

Threats to sea turtles are numerous and have caused many sea turtle species to be endangered. Of the seven extant species of sea turtles, six in the family Cheloniidae and one in the family Dermochelyidae, all are listed on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. The list classifies six species of sea turtle as "threatened", two of them as "critically endangered", one as "endangered" and three as "vulnerable". The flatback sea turtle is classified as "data deficient" which means that there is insufficient information available for a proper assessment of conservation status. Although sea turtles usually lay around one hundred eggs at a time, on average only one of the eggs from the nest will survive to adulthood. While many of the things that endanger these hatchlings are natural, such as predators including sharks, raccoons, foxes, and seagulls, many new threats to the sea turtle species are anthropogenic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center</span> Organization to help endangered manatees

The Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center is a research, education, rescue, and rehabilitation partnership established in 2009 in the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico in order to help endangered manatees survive from extinction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Species affected by poaching</span>

Many species are affected by poaching, including illegal hunting, fishing and capturing of wild animals, and, in a recent usage, the illegal harvesting of wild plant species. The article provides an overview of species currently endangered or impaired by poaching in the Americas, sub-Saharan Africa, and South-East Asia.

The Gales Point Wildlife Sanctuary is in the Belize District approximately 23.7 southwest of Belize City and 34 km north of Dangriga. The Sanctuary includes Southern Lagoon, Sapodilla Lagoon, Western Lagoon, Quashie Trap Lagoon and a portion of the Manatee river. It has a shoreline of 66-foot that is along all the lagoons and waterways except for the peninsula. The Wildlife Sanctuary covers a complex matrix of creeks, mangroves, mudflats and brackish lagoons. Both the rivers and creeks drains into the lagoon from the west. The lagoon is also connected to the Caribbean Sea via the Bar River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership</span> American conservation organization

The Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) is a cooperative group of non-profit, private, state, and federal entities dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, release, and post-release monitoring of manatees. The group's mission statement is: “To inspire and advance manatee conservation by partnering cooperatively in manatee rescue, rehabilitation, release, and monitoring efforts; improve understanding of manatee biology and health through scientific research; and promote stewardship and financial support through public education.”

References

  1. ↑ "Learn more about Florida's celebrated creature". Birds Underwater Dive Center. Archived from the original on 2017-10-07. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
  2. ↑ "West Indian Manatee: an Endangered Species". Bagheera: A Website for Earth’s Endangered Animals. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
  3. ↑ Vieira, Nina; Brito, Cristina (August 2017). "Brazilian manatees (re)discovered: Early modern accounts reflecting the overexploitation of aquatic resources and the emergence of conservation concerns". International Journal of Maritime History. 29 (3): 513–528. doi:10.1177/0843871417713683. ISSN   0843-8714.
  4. ↑ Beck, Cathy A.; Barros, Nélio B. (October 1991). "The impact of debris on the Florida manatee". Marine Pollution Bulletin. 22 (10): 508–510. doi:10.1016/0025-326X(91)90406-I.
  5. ↑ Aipanjiguly, Sampreethi; Jacobson, Susan K.; Flamm, Richard (August 2003). "Conserving Manatees: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Intentions of Boaters in Tampa Bay, Florida". Conservation Biology. 17 (4): 1098–1105. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.2003.01452.x.
  6. ↑ "Algae Blooms, Seagrass Loss, and Manatee Deaths". Save the Manatee Club. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
  7. ↑ Siegal-Willott, Jessica L.; Harr, Kendal E.; Hall, Jeffery O.; Hayek, Lee-Ann C.; Auil-Gomez, Nicole; Powell, James A.; Bonde, Robert K.; Heard, Darryl (1 June 2013). "Blood Mineral Concentrations In Manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris and Trichechus manatus manatus)". Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 44 (2): 285–294. doi:10.1638/2012-0093R.1. ISSN   1042-7260.
  8. ↑ "2023 Manatee Mortalities". Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
  9. ↑ Henaut, Yann; Charles, Aviva; Delfour, Fabienne (October 2022). "Cognition of the manatee: past research and future developments". Animal Cognition. 25 (5): 1049–1058. doi:10.1007/s10071-022-01676-8. ISSN   1435-9448.
  10. 1 2 Manatee Timeline. MyFWC.com: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 21 November 2008. <http://www.floridaconservation.org/manatee/information/Timeline/1903.htm>.
  11. ↑ Native Fish and Wildlife: Endangered Species. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Endangered Species Program. 21 November 2008 <http://www.fws.gov/Endangered/1966listing.html>.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Manatee Timeline. MyFWC.com: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 21 November 2008. <http://www.floridaconservation.org/manatee/information/Timeline/1903.htm>.
  13. ↑ http://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNews.cfm?_ID=35428 Retrieved on 1/17/2016 from USFWS press release
  14. ↑ "Manatee Synoptic Surveys". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 2016. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  15. ↑ "Florida Manatee". Marine Mammal Commission. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
  16. 1 2 3 "About SMC". Save the Manatee Club. Archived from the original on 2008-11-13. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
  17. 1 2 3 "Who Are We?". Sirenian International, Inc. Archived from the original on 2008-09-22. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
  18. ↑ "A Miracle Manatee: Lagoona's Story". SeaWorld Orlando | Blog. 2 August 2018. Archived from the original on 2020-08-09. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  19. ↑ "The Florida Manatee". EcoFlorida. Archived from the original on 2008-12-24. Retrieved 2008-11-21.[ full citation needed ]
  20. ↑ "Manatee Quick Facts". Sea World Adventure Park. Archived from the original on 2008-12-15. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
  21. 1 2 3 "Manatee License Plate". Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Archived from the original on 2007-07-03. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
  22. ↑ "Manatee Awareness Month: More Important Now Than Ever!". Save the Manatee Club. Archived from the original on 2007-03-19.
  23. ↑ "Alec Baldwin promotes manatee awareness". The Hollywood Reporter. AP. 2 August 2007.
  24. ↑ Galves, Jamal; Galves, Celeshia Guy; Gomez, Nicole Auil; Bonde, Robert K.; Powell, James; Alvarez-Alemán, Anmari; Castelblanco-Martínez, Nataly (January 2023). "Analysis of a long-term dataset of Antillean manatee strandings in Belize: implications for conservation". Oryx. 57 (1): 80–88. doi: 10.1017/S0030605321000983 . ISSN   0030-6053.
  25. ↑ Ortega-Argueta, Alejandro; Castelblanco-Martínez, Delma Nataly (January 2020). "Is captive breeding a priority for manatee conservation in Mexico?". Oryx. 54 (1): 110–117. doi: 10.1017/S0030605317001697 . ISSN   0030-6053.
  26. ↑ Santos, Sebastião Silva dos; Medeiros, Iara dos Santos; Rebelo, Vanessa Araujo; Carvalho, Allan Oliveira Barreto; Dubut, Jean Paul; Mantovani, José Eduardo; Círiaco, Raphael Dantas; Santos, Ryan Emerson Gomes dos; Marmontel, Miriam; Normande, Iran Campello; Velôso, Thalma Maria Grisi; Borges, João Carlos Gomes (November 2022). "Home ranges of released West Indian manatees Trichechus manatus in Brazil". Oryx. 56 (6): 939–946. doi: 10.1017/S003060532100079X . ISSN   0030-6053.
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