That is what the US federal Government thinks. HELLO? Wake up and smell the motor oil!!!! Manatees are no where near read to be taken off the Endangered Species list. The populations is dwindling not reviving. Over 400 manatees were killed last year. That is a record. I really need to know what the definition of endangered Species is because if Manatees are not one of them than the definition needs to be changed.
From the article:
Of a population of about 3,200, 416 died in 2006, the highest number of deaths recorded in 30 years of statistics. Many died in collisions with boat propellers.
Article Link:
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/nation/17050196.htm
When I was in elementary school, my class 'adopted' a manatee and saved money from bake sales and such to suport the 'save the manatee movement'. We got pictures and news updates every few weeks and we all really looked forward to hearing about our precious manatee. I am much older now, but I still think about that, and I still do what I can to raise awareness for all types of endangered species.
The population of manatees when I was in grade school was dangerously low. It has come up a little, but I agree, not enough to take them of the list.
-S
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