| As herbivores, they feed on vegetation such as | | | | non-motorized boats or turning the engines off. |
| turtle grass, manatee grass, shoal grass, mangrove | | | | Manatees are slow moving and often submerged in |
| leaves, and various strains of algae for an average of | | | | the water, which result in collisions with motorized |
| six to eight hours a day. However, there are times | | | | boats. Because motorists don't pay attention, boat |
| manatees feed on red algae, which is a toxic form of | | | | propellers cause deep wounds on their backs that |
| algae. Approximately 3,200 are in existence today, | | | | lead to nasty viral infections and/or scarring. |
| yet the number is decreasing significantly every year, | | | | Coastal Florida residents can help researchers |
| even though federal and state laws have been | | | | establish protected manatee areas by reporting |
| established for their protection. Manatees have | | | | manatee sightings. Researchers will be able to |
| become endangered species from natural causes, | | | | establish the different routes manatees travel and will |
| American tourism, chemical pollution, water activities, | | | | be able to have those areas labeled as manatee |
| motorized boats, and sports, entanglement in fishing | | | | zones. |
| lines, as well as the fishing industry. The destruction | | | | Donate to a reputable manatee charity such as Save |
| of habitat is the greatest threat. | | | | the Manatee Club. They offer a variety of ways to |
| Several laws such as the Marine Mammal Protection | | | | raise money to help with injured manatees. Sea |
| Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, | | | | World is also another large organization that is |
| and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 have | | | | committed to the conservation of manatees. The |
| been passed to protect manatee survival and protect | | | | staff consists of biologists and veterinarians. They |
| their habitats. The Convention of International Trade | | | | rescue and rehabilitate injured manatees. |
| in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was | | | | Don't litter. Help keep the beach and coastal areas |
| developed in 1973 to regulate trade of wildlife animals | | | | clean by picking up trash or debris. Fish hooks, fishing |
| and protect their survival. Even though these laws | | | | lines, or fishing nets contribute to endangering |
| are great, they do not seem to provide enough | | | | manatees as they often get entangled. |
| protection as the manatees are slowing becoming | | | | Swimmers should not commingle with manatees. |
| extinct. | | | | Feeding manatees is another area of concern. |
| Natural causes of manatee fatalities include the | | | | Manatees feed on vegetation. |
| consumption of toxic algae such as red tide, diseases, | | | | Visiting zoos is a way that funds are raised for the |
| predation, and cold water. | | | | preservation of manatees as well as manatee |
| Human related causes of death are motorized boats, | | | | research. |
| chemical pollution, harassing manatees, American | | | | Many different companies have created manatee |
| tourism, and the fishing industry. However, the ways | | | | products that raise public awareness and educate the |
| individuals can help protect endangered species are | | | | public about the preservation of the Florida manatee. |
| by traveling through manatee zones with | | | | |