Thousands of Florida manatees have been dying in recent years. In wake of this, wildlife officials have released plans to conduct a scientific review to see if these manatees should be considered endangered species again.
Florida Manatees: From 'Endangered' to 'Threatened'
Back in 2017, the species were downlisted by federal wildlife officials into "threatened species." The agency claimed that this decision was based on the improved numbers of the species' population.
While this was the case, the decision has been heralded by several environmental advocacy groups as premature, especially following the death of 1,100 manatees in 2021. Several of these deaths were attributed to a seagrass famine that was fueled by humans.
Aside from this, over 476 manatees have died across the state this year until early October. In all of 2022, there were 800 reported deaths, while there were 1,100 in 2021. So far, the death toll this year through October 6 has fallen behind the five-year average of 650 deaths.
The announcement follows the coalition of several environmental groups wherein they petitioned to reconsider the species' classification.
Manatee Deaths and Seagrass Loss
Rainfall runoff, wastewater discharges, and septic tank leaks have all fueled algal bloom growth across the Indian River Lagoon. These algal blooms block the sunlight that is necessary for the survival and thriving of seagrass. Seagrass loss and death forced manatees into starvation following several months of weakness and emaciation.
Ben Rankin, who assisted with the petition writing at the Animal Law & Policy Clinic at Harvard, explains that this finding made by the Fish and Wildlife Service is crucial for the recovery of the species.
The advocacy groups that participated in the petition noted that the grave loss of seagrass across the Indian River Lagoon is the reason why the species should be reclassified as endangered. From 2009 to 2021, 75% of total seagrass was lost in the Lagoon.
Aquatic biologist Patrick Rose, who also serves as the executive director at the Save the Manatee Club, explains that they are pleased by how the Services recognizes the necessity to reevaluate the downlisting decision, also noting that it is necessary for the Service to promptly work on its manatee recovery program by boosting funding and staffing.
The petition was launched by Rose's organization along with the Harvard Animal Law & Policy Clinic, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Miami Waterkeeper and Puerto Rican engineer, Mr. Frank S. González García.
Based on the law, the service has 12 months from the filing of the petition to decide the manatee's reclassification. Conservationist groups are expecting the decision to be made around wintertime.
Check out more news and information on Animals in Science Times.
