Welcome to HelpManatee.com. Created in November of 2007, it has opened the eyes of the public to the world of Trichechus manatus latirostris, the Florida manatee, as well as other species of manatees. As you can see, a manatee is a large aquatic mammal. But what you may not know is that this gentle giant is in extreme danger. It's main threat? Humans. Most manatee deaths are caused by boat collisions, and some surviving manatees carry horrible scars resulting from the same. Visit the Museum to explore these wonderful animals, or check the blog to see what's going on at the website. And as always, check the Manatee Manor, where you can find videos, downloadables, bulletins, and much more. Thanks for visiting, and keep coming back for all your manatee needs!
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A Danger Timeline
The first dangers faced by the manatee came from sixteenth-century sailors, who hauled aboard manatees with the belief that they were acursed mermaids. When this danger ceased, Carribbean natives discovered that manatee flesh was good to eat, and hunted hundreds of thousands of them. This massive intake drove the population north, where they currently reside on the eastern coast of the United States. Here is where they met their ultimate peril: human boaters. When a manatee hears a boat approaching, it begins to dive deeper to avoid contact. While this maneuver protects their head and their vital organs, it leaves their tail to be mangled by the prop of the boat. If the accident goes unreported, the manatee may die of blood loss. If you see an injured manatee, please call 1-888-404-FWCC to report it. There's a manatee counting on you.
