Manatees, or sea cows in some parts of the world, have been on the endangered species list since the year 1967, which is also the year the endangered list was created. However, it appears this may no longer be the case, though this doesn't mean these slow and adorable creatures are out of the red just yet.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the creature is expected to be upgraded to threatened, which is a slight improvement to previous conditions. However, this won't be legitimate until the next 12 months, as federal wildlife officials must first review the manatee's state of conditions.
"Essentially all of the elements of their habitat are at really high risk going forward in the future," said Patrick Rose, executive director of the Save the Manatee Club. "If you look at the warm water that the manatees depend on in the winter time, whether it's now from the power plants or from the natural springs, there's no security in that."
These creatures are quite difficult to keep from being endangered, and it has a lot to with its slow movement, and the need to live in warm temperatures. Over the past couple years; several manatees have died from coming into contact with fishermen boats. The slow speed of the manatee makes it difficult to avoid danger, such as speeding boats.
Furthermore, Florida wildlife officials are having a difficult time on coming up with an accurate number on how many manatees are still in existence. This has much to do with the creature's ability to stay below water for a long time, and only coming to the surface momentarily for air.
Some fear that reclassifying the manatees for endangered to threatened, would undermine the protection of the creature. However, Chuck Underwood, a spokesperson for the Fish and Wildlife Service, claims that this isn't the case.
Underwood said that the reclassification has to do with where the manatees stand right now on the path to recovery, and the moment manatees are threatened. Because of the living conditions of manatees, it is possible the creatures may always be considered as threatened, unless they are placed in an environment free from human interaction.
