Manatees are a marine mammal that has been classified on the endangered species list for many decades. The Florida Manatee lives off the coast of Florida, in both freshwater and seawater. In order to be on the endangered species list, an animal must have lower population rates and ongoing threats to their wellbeing which can include environmental threats and human threats (Allen et al., 2014). Due to the Florida Manatee population being only 4,834 in 2011 and a low reproduction rate of only one calf every 3 months, this puts the species high on the endangered list (Allen et al., 2014). With this, environmental factors include cold stress syndrome and red tide bloom affect these animals. Additionally, humans have directly impacted the Manatees based on their environment and harmful boating accidents. In order to stabilize the Manatee population, laws have been put into effect and people need to recognize the ongoing threat they portray to the environment of the manatee …show more content…
With Florida being the retirement spot, there is always an increasing population which in itself causes a threat to the Florida manatee population. With the increased population, water crafts within the waters have increased as well. Boat strikes with manatees have accounted for 20-33% of annual deaths of the manatees (Flamm and Braunsberger, 2014). These death rates were due to the boaters or witnesses not calling for help when the manatee has been hit or found in distress. Also, manatees who migrate to warm waters find themselves within the waters of Crystal River. Here, the human population has been constantly growing, which is a threat to the habitat with pollution or even direct contact with the manatees (Allen et. al., 2014). With the contributing factors of human impact, laws have been passed to protect these endangered