Video credit: Bird's Underwater Dive Center The Florida manatee, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee, is currently listed as threatened rather than endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Its population has improved over recent decades due to strong conservation efforts, such as boat speed regulations, habitat protections, and rescue programs. These efforts helped reduce deaths and allowed populations to rebound. However, recent challenges like water pollution, seagrass loss, and c

The rescue of an injured manatee in the Florida Keys on March 20 was complicated by a brush fire burning locally. Video from Daniel Eidsmoe shows the rescue effort. The Dolphin Research Center’s Manatee Rescue Team told Storyful the nine-foot male was “assessed as suffering from a pneumothorax condition where air accumulates in the space between the lung and chest wall.” Rescuers said the “typical procedure” would be for the rescued manatee to be transported by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Cons

The new Manatee Rehabilitation Center is now open at Clearwater Marine Aquarium! Come see the rehabilitating manatees and learn about our manatee rescue and conservation efforts. Your visit supports our mission! All activities conducted under USFWS Permit# MA66524C. | Clearwater Marine Aquarium