Manatees face a number of challenges
- Boat strikes: Manatees are slow-moving and often blend in with the water, making them difficult to see for boaters. Boat strikes are a leading cause of death for manatees.
- Habitat loss: Manatees need warm, shallow water to survive. As development continues, more and more of their habitat is being lost.
- Pollution: Manatees are susceptible to a number of pollutants, including oil, pesticides, and fertilizers. These pollutants can harm their health and even kill them.
- Climate change: Climate change is causing the water temperatures in manatee habitats to rise. This is making it more difficult for manatees to find food and survive.
How can we protect Manatees?
Slow down and be aware of manatees when boating. Manatees are slow-moving and often blend in with the water, making them difficult to see for boaters. Boat strikes are a leading cause of death for manatees.
- Support organizations that are working to protect manatees. There are many organizations that are working to protect manatees. You can donate money, volunteer your time, or simply spread the word about their work.
- Reducing our use of pollutants. Manatees are susceptible to a number of pollutants, including oil, pesticides, and fertilizers. These pollutants can harm their health and even kill them. We can all do our part to reduce our use of pollutants by recycling, using fewer pesticides, and fertilizing our lawns less often.
- Learning more about manatees and sharing what we know with others. The more people who know about manatees and the threats they face, the more likely we are to protect them. You can learn more about manatees by visiting the websites of our partner organizations like the Save the Manatee Club or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
