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ANIMAL NEWS Big Move for Manatees Florida removes the manatee from its endangered species list Last week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to remove the manatee from the state's endangered species list. The move has angered many wildlife conservationists. They worry the mammals will not receive the same protection they have in the past.

Why were the mammals taken off the list? Research shows the number of manatees in Florida waters has risen from about 1,000 in the early 1990s to about 3,100 today. But state scientists say the increase in the number of manatees is partly because scientists have gotten better at locating the mammals.

All About ManateesThe slow-moving, migratory creatures can be found in the shallow estuaries, saltwater bays, canals and coastal areas of Florida in the winter months. The average manatee weighs between 1,000 and 1,200 pounds and is almost 10 feet long! The large floating herbivores are often called sea cows.

Still in Danger?Scientists predict that over the next 50 years, the number of manatees will be cut in half because of habitat loss, red tide algae, and the creatures' collisions with boats. Over 400 manatees died last year. But Florida state officials say the manatees no longer face extinction and must be reclassified. Despite the changes in Florida, the manatee is still fully protected under federal law and considered to be an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That organization is reconsidering the manatees' status on the Endangered Species Act.

By Pavan Shamdasani

Read the article “Big Move for Manatees” on the following page. Write a summary of the article in the text box to the left. When you have finished, copy and paste the summary into the text box on the magnifying glass on the last slide. Resize the text box if necessary to fit on the magnifying glass. Print only the last slide. Write your name in the text box before you print!

ANIMAL NEWS Big Move for Manatees Florida removes the manatee from its endangered species list Last week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to remove the manatee from the state's endangered species list. The move has angered many wildlife conservationists. They worry the mammals will not receive the same protection they have in the past.

Why were the mammals taken off the list? Research shows the number of manatees in Florida waters has risen from about 1,000 in the early 1990s to about 3,100 today. But state scientists say the increase in the number of manatees is partly because scientists have gotten better at locating the mammals.

All About ManateesThe slow-moving, migratory creatures can be found in the shallow estuaries, saltwater bays, canals and coastal areas of Florida in the winter months. The average manatee weighs between 1,000 and 1,200 pounds and is almost 10 feet long! The large floating herbivores are often called sea cows.

Still in Danger?Scientists predict that over the next 50 years, the number of manatees will be cut in half because of habitat loss, red tide algae, and the creatures' collisions with boats. Over 400 manatees died last year. But Florida state officials say the manatees no longer face extinction and must be reclassified. Despite the changes in Florida, the manatee is still fully protected under federal law and considered to be an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That organization is reconsidering the manatees' status on the Endangered Species Act.

By Pavan Shamdasani