Why Should We Protect Endangered Manatees?
The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is listed on the U.S. endangered species list. It can be found in the coastal waters and rivers of the southeastern United States and in the Caribbean. Protecting the manatee does more than just save one species--it also protects the ecosystem in which the manatee lives.
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Manatees Eat Aquatic Vegetation
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A single manatee will eat over 100 pounds of aquatic vegetation a day. Without the manatee, its native waters could become overgrown with plants.
Manatees Process Vegetation
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What goes in must come out. The vegetation that is digested and expelled by the manatees fertilizes the local waters, which helps other plants grow.
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An Ecosystem Without Manatees
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The overgrowth of vegetation and lack of fertilization could have devastating effects for both humans and other species. Boats might get tangled in the plants, and the change the ecosystem would make survival difficult for other animal species.
Safety
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To protect the manatees, boaters must drive slowly through the manatee habitat. This also helps keep the waterways safe for humans and other aquatic animals.
Economics
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Manatees are fascinating creatures. Thousands of people travel to Florida every year to see them, and that helps support the local economy.
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