Manatee Abuse

This Blog accompanies my group, Let's Help the Manatees! I encourage you all to join:

 

http://www.writerscafe.org/groups/Let%27s-Help-the-Manatees%21/9836/

 

Manatee Abuse

"There are plenty of wildlife issue, like wolves out west, that are just as controversial, but the emotion behind these animals is amazing."

-Michael Lusk, Manatee Refugee Manager

 

Florida Manatees

Manatees are large, gentle aquatic mammals who live in shallow saltwater rivers, bays, and coastal areas. Weighing up to a ton, manatees are herbivores with no natural predators. Manatees breathe air, and usually spend their time eating, traveling, and resting below the waters surface. In the U.S., Manatees can be found in Florida and are currently endangered.

 

Reproductive Rates

Reproductive rates for manatees is low.

-One calf is born every 2-5 years per female

-Gestation period is one year

-A calf is completely dependent on its mother for two years

-Manatees reach sexual maturity around 5 years

-It is believed Manatees live up to 40 years

 

Population

It is estimated that their are around 5,000 manatees currently in Florida.

In Kings Bay in 1960- 30 manatees

                             Today-600 manatees

In 2011 over 200 manatees were killed by human causes

(4% of the population)

Maintaining the manatee population depends mostly on the behavior of humans.

 

Manatee Abuse

 

Manatees are solitary creatures and don't care much for people.

As the manatee population increases, tourism in Kings Bay Florida increases.

-150,000 tourists visit to see the manatees each year

-Manatee tourism contributes to $20-$30 million dollars each year in revenue for Florida

Tour boat instructors tell people rules and regulations for interacting with manatees before they enter the water

Ex. -Do not disturb resting manatees

-Do not touch the manatees

-Do not block off manatees when they want to leave

-Do not disturb mothers and calves

 

In 2006, Tracy Colson video taped manatee abuse from not only tourists, but also tour guides, which included:

-people riding manatees

-people walking on manatees

-tour guides taking baby manatees form mothers to pass around to tourists

 

Protection

 

Manatees are endangered and protected under The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and The Endangered Species Act of 1973.

It is illegal to harm/harrass/injure/kill a manatee.

 

ESA, Section 7-"Authority to evaluate impacts of the developement of manatees and their habitat, to ensure that developement does not jeopardize the continued existence of the species."

 

Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act- establishes Manatee protection areas

 

 

Human Threats

 

Increased demands for water lead to the loss of warm water to keep manatees warm. Manatees cannot survive temperatures below sixty eight degrees.

 

Polution kills sea grass and makes it difficult for manatees to find food. When manatees do find food, there is usually trash from fisherman left behind such as fishing hooks and crab trap lines, which can severely hurt or kill manatees.

 

An increasing human population leads to more developed areas, and less enviroments where manatees can live.

 

The most severe human threat to manatees are watercraft collisions.

 

Watercraft Collisions

 

Manatees are crushed by a boats hull and slashed by proppellers.

Manatees are vulnerable to boats as they swim just below the waters surface.

 

Cause of Manatee related deaths 1974-2011

-Watercraft collison 28%

-Other human related 3%

 

Proppellers can seriously injure a manatee by deeply cutting into its skin or by taking off limbs.

Being crushed by a boats hull can damage a manatee internally and externally.

Injuries can often lead to death.

 

 

Boaters and Tourism Operaters vs. Activists

 

Boaters and fisherman in the Kings Bay Area are against the constant restrictions in the speed of their boats because of manatees in the area.

 

Tourism Operators claim their livlihood depends on the people who travel to Kings Bay and spend money to swim with manatees and touch the manatees. Making it illegal to approach a manatee would severely damage Floridas economy.

 

Activists claim that manatees should be respected by boaters and by tourists.

 

Tracy Colson, the local activist who video taped manatee abuse in 2006, says,"There should be no rubbing or touching. That's what dogs are for. Manatees are wild animals. Let them be wild."

 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tries to "maintain the peace" between manatee activists and boat/tourism operators.

 

Conservation

 

Current conservation efforts include:

 

-researching biology, population, behavior and habitats

-posting speed signs for boaters

-raising awareness through public programs

-educating people on manatee abuse

-attempting to reduce pollution

 

Seven manatee santuaries controlled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were established in Crystal River, Florida.

-Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, estimated to be around 600 manatees in the winter months.

 

 

 

Even if you do not live in Florida, there are ways you can support the manatee conservation efforts.

By littering and polluting the enviroment, there is a possibility that that litter could travel through rivers and streams and reach manatee habitats. Being careful not to litter can help not only the manatees, but our planet.

You can also help out by not being like one of those tourists that was video taped by Tracy Colson.

 

If you would like further information on how to help the manatees, I reccomend going to:

 

www.savethemanatee.org

 

Thank you very much for reading!

 

Author's Note

I wrote this as a blog entry for my English project, and a requirement for my project is that I reach out to people and share my research and gather opinions and comments. So if you would please, dear reader, just share a few simple words in a review about Manatee Abuse so that I can report in my project how others react to this information!
Thanks! I hope you enjoyed reading, and I hope you join my group!

Reviews

[nostal]

This is the most annoying format, like, evarrrrrr.

[Mizuki Tsukiakari]

Well, I have to agree with you, but I wrote this for a school assignment, so I had to type it in this format.

[nostal]

You could have adjusted it into distinguishable paragraphs.

[Mizuki Tsukiakari]

Yeah...if only that was the requirement, but sadly I had to use bulleted points. But I suppose it doesn't nescesarily matter, considering I recieved a perfect score on the project and passed the class with a nearly-perfect score. I intended on changing the format after I recieved my grade, but I had so many other things to do, I never got around to it. Also, I'm not really a blog person, so I don't really care; this is the only blog I've ever written, and it was for a project. The only reason I kept it was because I care about manatees.

[nostal]

"and passed the class with a nearly-perfect score."
Stop bragging :P

And manatees are my homies.

[Mizuki Tsukiakari]

I apologize if my comment came off as bragging; I was only trying to emphasize that although the format is annoying, it was of acceptable standards to my teacher, which was all I was concerned about while writing it. Well, that and manatee awareness :)

[tanner brumbach]

He buddy, it's not your writing so don't be so aggressive with your comments. Also I'm not liking he attitude your giving my wife so if you could please treat her with a little more respect that would be appreciated. Thankyou.

[nostal]

Cool he story he brah he.

[Mizuki Tsukiakari]

Tan, thanks so much, but it's okay, it doesn't really matter. All that matters is spreading the awareness about manatees :)
But thanks, you're so sweet, I love you baby! (1 more day...17 months

[4$H]

It's unique. I love it, :)

[Mizuki Tsukiakari]

Thank you for taking the time to read my Manatee Abuse Blog :)

[tanner brumbach]

your so cute babe keep being the cute animal lover you are please!

[Mizuki Tsukiakari]

Thanks sweetheart!