Photo credit: News.ifas.ufl.edu
If you’ve visited Florida, you’ve most likely heard of manatees.
Sea cows, or manatees, have inhabited the waters of Florida for many years, but now they’re moving.
Why?
Well like any other species, the more their population grows, the further they have to spread out.
In 1967, manatee numbers dipped into the low hundreds and people realized something needed to be done if they were going to save the species from extinction. Many people across Florida and the world came together, created organizations and initiatives to protect these animals.
And they must have done a good job because the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported close to 5,000 manatees at the end of 2014!
Increasing their numbers by ten or more times has big implications for sea cows and now they must move to make room for everyone.
Ruth Carmichael, head of Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Manatee Sighting Network for Alabama and Mississippi, reported that they’ve seen a drastic increase in sightings and strandings since 2007.
Even Georgia, the Carolinas and states as far north as Virginia have reported manatees along their coastlines.
But the issue isn’t just that their population is increasing. Their habitats are remaining stable and or declining. They have to move to survive. And when they do, will we be prepared to care for and send aid to them as needed?
A manatee’s greatest threats are habitat loss and boat propellers.
As they move into new territories, the people that live there need to be aware of manatees and how to coexist with them peacefully.
That’s exactly what Ms. Carmichael is trying to do. Currently, she is working with members from other stranding teams to create a four state network to better protect these animals.
Read more about the movement of manatees and Ms. Carmichael’s work on The Christian Science Monitor.