Target: Eric Sutton, Executive Director, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Goal: Protect the dwindling manatee population in Florida.
In the first few months of 2021, 317 manatees have died in Florida. If this continues, nearly 3,000 will die by the end of the year. This is a shocking increase from the six hundred that were lost last year.
While scientists are scrambling to understand this drastic death toll, it is thought that algae blooms are killing sea grass in the water, which is the manatees only source of food. The sea cows are slowly starving to death.
Harmful algae blooms in Florida are a long-standing issue that is mostly attributed to the state and federal governments mismanaging freshwater and riparian areas. Red and blue-green algae have been damaging coastlines and threatening numerous wildlife species for years. Manatees are no exception.
Call on the local government to take drastic, and immediate action to save these resplendent and docile creatures.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Dr. Sutton,
Manatees are a gentle and beautiful animal, and it is tragic to hear of the numerous sea cows that have died in 2021. Over 300 have died in the first 6 weeks of this year, and if left unchecked, this will have a devastating impact on the sea cow population in Florida.
Experts believe the animals are starving. Algae blooms are killing sea grass, which is the manatees’ main source of food.
I urge you to take instant and decisive action to save the manatees in Florida, and protect their threatened habitat.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: psyberartist
Save the manatees!
Florida is one of the few places that you can catch a glimpse of a manatee. This is great for tourism and the economy. You’d think that the State would want to save these creatures.
Please protect the manatees and make sure they survive.
Please PROHIBIT use of fertilizers and weed killers on residential lawns, and prohibit industrial and farming discharge into waterways. These actions are responsible for removing OXYGEN from water and for toxic algal blooms. This not only harms manatees and aquatic life, but also kills pets who come into contact with fouled waters.
Stop polluting the sea. The manatees need to eat the algae to survive. If u r having discussion about air ,do it for the marine animals. Need to penalize the people involved. Help save them.
PLEASE — PROTECT these sweet Manatees — time is of the essence — STOP the cruel suffering and early deaths.