Target: Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
Goal: Protect manatees from going extinct by considering them endangered once again.
In 2017, manatees were taken off the endangered species list regardless of the habitat loss and pollution they faced. Although they are now considered threatened, their populations are still drastically declining. The lack of sea grass present in lagoons is putting their species at risk. Several boat strikes also put their lives at risk. They have no innate predators, so the current state of the environment and pollution is causing dire impacts on the well-being of their species.
Manatees primarily consume sea grass and help to keep these plants in good health. They keep the grass short enough so the beds are healthy. Manatees also consume mosquitoes, and if they go extinct, mosquito populations would become out of control. Vegetation outside of sea grass is also important for manatees, and just like sea grass, manatees make sure it stays at a favorable length so that waterways do not become overcrowded.
Manatees were once on the endangered species list, but now they’re only considered threatened despite the boat collisions and pollution that is killing them. This restricts what can be done to help these important animals. Sign this petition to demand manatees be added back on the endangered species list.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear FWS Director Williams,
Manatees should not be considered a threatened species; they should be considered an endangered one. Boat collisions and pollution have decreased the amount of manatees in the world, and they’re essential to the welfare of marine ecosystems.
Sea grass has recently been dying off which is the main food source for manatees. This combined with other environmental factors have made it more difficult for manatees to thrive in their natural environments. When they consume sea grass, they keep it at a length that is suitable for the environment. They also consume smaller insects and keep their populations at bay. Manatees have no inherent predators, so the main reason for the drastic decline in their population is mostly human-related.
Manatee populations have steadily decreased and don’t appear to be increasing anytime soon. They’re an essential part of waterways that would become crowded with an overabundance of plant life without their attention. Please add them to the endangered species list. Thank you for your attention to this important message.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: U.S. Geological Survey
Homo sapiens is the most invasive of all species. The least we can do is to try to stop the worst outcomes of our invasion.
Manatees are important creatures and very much a part of the Floridian ecosystem.
They need to be saved
Florida is the worst! There are good and concerned citizens living here but Florida is horrible to face the climate and assist animals. Our waters are polluted and the sea grass is killed leaving these animals to die of starvation. Many people come to feed them cabbage and the like but more is needed. The first thing to to help these creatures survive is to provide food as the state government is responsible to do so. Second is to clean up the waters from commercial corporations and keep it that way. It would be better to have Governors drop out of office to run for president as they can not do their job. The other problem is dark money which invades every aspect of our government. The people voted into office must do their job or resign.