Manatee Population Rising or Declining?

This years head count of the manatee population in Florida came in at 1,796.  There were approximately 2,200 manatees counted in the United States in 2000, but the Florida Marine Research Institute produced a count of 3,276 in January 2001.  What does this mean?  Well, it doesn't mean we lost half the manatee population in one year.  It just tells us how many manatees were in the area the day of the count.  The current, and only available count method, is a synoptic survey.  A synoptic survey is an aerial survey to get a head count of each manatee.  This count is highly dependent on weather conditions.  If the weather is cold, then the manatees are more likely to congregate at warm water sites where the count is taken. Perfect conditions for a survey would be a prolonged cold weather front, a significant drop in water temperatures and a sunny, windless day following the cold front.  Since the count is taken from an airplane, even a cloudy day can make it very difficult to get a correct count.  If the perfect day does present itself, it is still not a reliable way to decide whether the manatee population is rising, declining or stable.  The information in the table below shows why.  The numbers fluctuate from year to year making it difficult to determine a real population count. 

While the survey is of no relevance to the total number of manatees alive today, the mortality statistics are and do tell another story.  It's been determined that we lost 10% of the counted population in 2001!  That is a grave statistic for an endangered species.  325 manatees died and 81 of those perished in watercraft collisions.  Again, these are all human related deaths.  Deaths that we can put a stop to if we cautioned ourselves.  The state and federal agencies believe if they keep the human related deaths at an even level each year, they are doing enough to support the manatees.  But shouldn't we strive to cut that number?  Certainly last year the number rose and the manatees can't sustain another year like that.  So, despite the lower survey count and higher mortality numbers produced this year, we can still do our part to protect the manatees with awareness and hope the numbers will rise.  Hopefully a better method to produce a population count is on the horizon and a growing compassion for the terrible year the manatees had last year. 

Record Deaths in 2002 and a grim outlook in 2003!

In the midst of good news, sometimes some bad can arise.  2002 wasn't such a good year for the manatee thanks to us humans.  There were 95 watercraft related deaths which accounts for 31% of the total manatee mortality numbers.  Really not a good sign!  This means that people are still being far too reckless when heading out in their boats for a day of summertime fun.  Some believe that the higher death rate is related to the higher count in population, that maybe because there are more manatees it's ok that there are more deaths.  While there are no supporting facts of a population increase, if there were it would only seem to me that bringing the population back down with more deaths is far from 'ok'.  While 95 died from the unnecessary collisions, there were many serious injuries to account for as well.  There are many cautious and careful boaters making sure the waters are safe for our gentle friends and we can't disregard this, but the fact remains that some people either don't care or just aren't aware of what's in the water below. 
And due to the current ongoing crisis, the manatee fate looks grim.  An increase of people in Florida boaters fighting to downlist the importance of manatee protection, with the lack of motorboat speed limits in manatee habitat areas, shows little protection is being provided by Florida officials.  Boaters can speed in excess of 25 mph which can be a fatal blow to our giant friends.  Having been under federal protection since 1967, these mammals have not made a sweeping comeback and still need our help.  With the addition of more and more boat slips (a boat docking area) manatees are being squeezed out little by little.   However, many Florida residents are starting to step up and take a stand.  It seems a new survey showed 65% of the people that took the survey agree more needs to be done!  So, we're not out of the game completely, but it's important to show our support in every way we can.  Visit the Save the Manatee Website to find out how you can make a difference.

I made a trip to Sea World in Orlando, Florida on May 1, 2001, my first encounter ever with the manatee! I was in awe of the size and of the experience. I just wanted to jump in the water and hug them and tell them I love them :) I've learned so much about them and have come to love the giant creatures. I only wish I could help them with more than just my dollar bill. I would love to be actively involved in their fight for survival, but living in NY makes it a little difficult.  However, I have become actively involved with Save the Manatee's volunteer program.  I contact local officials to ask them to take a stand for the manatee fate. 
I was elated as well as saddened, the attraction is called 'Manatees, the Last Generation?' I imagine it grabs the attention of new visitors to the park, but I hope that title does not prevail. I was able to take photos above the water and of the underwater viewing tank. Click the thumbnails below to see my Sea World Adventure.

My Second Trip to Sea World!

I took another trip to Florida for my one year wedding anniversary and had to visit Sea World to visit my precious friends.  This time it was sunny and beautiful and I was able to get a better look at the manatee exhibit.  The title 'Manatees, the Last Generation?' still gets to me.  And it isn't used with the proper punctuation when it is spoken in the park.  They discuss it as if it's a statement rather than a question.  I prefer not to think it's an inevitable position for the manatees.  I will have photos up here soon, I was able to spend quite a bit of time at the exhibit this time.  The park has a nice area set up for them and for viewers.  You can view the manatees from above their tank and then there is an underwater viewing tank.  Prior to reaching the underwater tank, they provide an educational presentation on the manatee past, present and hope for the future.  If you get the chance to go, it's definitely worth the visit!  What disturbed me this trip and not the previous one, was because it was feeding time and the tank was covered with lettuce and the fact that the sun wasn't out, I was unable to see all of the manatees or the injuries they had incurred.  One of them barely had a tail remaining, another had one flipper missing, another had deep scars.  It was so sad to me to actually see this in person.  These poor manatees suffered so much at the hand of people!  What is great though, they are alive and living well and rehabilitated.  It's nice that even though there are careless people, there are others that are there to help as well.  The pictures below show the manatees interacting with each other.  You can see one of them has a terrible scar on it's tail.  More pictures to come soon

  Manatees in Ohio?

Another place to see manatees is the Columbus Zoo in Ohio. At first it disturbed me to think that the manatees were so far inland away from the warm Florida waters, but I've learned that the zoo supports Lowry Park Zoo's rehabilitation program (a critical care facility in Florida) by supplying equipment to researchers tracking released animals. If we all continue to support their protection, we will be able to share with children in the future how wonderful these creatures are.   I hope to visit there someday as well.