Manatee: An Endangered Species

1
Manatee An Endangered Species

• Majela Salom
  Heidy Rodriguez
• Professor Molina
• ENC 1101 _at_ 950
• 1st November 2002

2
Manatees An Uncertain Future

•  
•       Manatees are endangered species as their
  reproductive rate is slow and their mortality
  increases every year.
•       Low temperature and a toxic microorganism
  named red tide are the main natural factors that
  contribute to manatee high mortality.
•       Human activities are also
• dangerous and stressful for the manatee
  habitat.

3
Manatees Characteristics

• Manatees are inoffensive creatures that live in
  shallow waters off the coast or in rivers and
  estuaries.
• They are mammals and completely herbivorous.
• Females give birth to one calf every two to five
  years and their gestation period is approximately
  thirteen months.

4
Human Activities Dangerous and Stressful for The
Manatees Habitat

• Boat traffic
• Pollution
• Litter
• Harassment
• Closing of flood gates and canal locks

5
Manatee Mortality Statistics Increase Every Year

• There will be no manatee in the near future if
  drastic measures are not taken. For instance, a
  total of 273 manatees died in the year 2000 while
  in the 2001 overall 325 manatees deaths were
  reported. In Florida, for instance, between 1976
  and 2001, a total of 4332 manatees died mainly
  due to human activities.
• (The Manatee Project)

6
Total Manatee Mortality by Year
(Total Manatee Mortality by Year And Cause
1976-2001)
7
Solutions to Save Manatees

• Boaters should reduce their speed when driving in
  manatees habitat.
• Manatees should not be chased, poked, fed or
  touched. They should be observed quietly from a
  distance.
• Fishers should not discard litter in waterways
  where manatees may live.

8
More solutions to save manatees

• Calling and writing to inform about any dead or
  injured manatee or any harassment with them is
  essential for their protection.
• Becoming club volunteers and making donations
  to non-profit organizations that work in
  protecting manatees are actions that will have,
  in a near future, compensating results.

9
Environmental Laws to Protect and Conserve The
Manatee Population Are Having Effects

• Laws to protect manatees have recently had
  positive results because their population has
  increased in two areas of Florida Blue Spring in
  Volusia County and Crystal River in Citrus
  County. These areas, with several no-entry and
  slow speed zones, have been protected for 30
  years.
• (Manatee Myths and Facts)

10
Works cited

• Manatee Myths and Facts. Save the Manatee Club.
  12 October 2002. lthttp/www.savethemanatee.org/myt
  hs.htm
• The Manatee Project. The National Heritage
  Foundation. 6 October 2002. lthttp//www.themanatee
  project.org.futuresite.register.comgt
• Total Manatee Mortality by Year and Cause
  1976-2001. Save the Manatee Club. 29 October
  2002. http//www.savethemanatee.org/mortality2001.
  htm