Manatee Remains on Endangered List

Threats to Florida manatee recognized. Other endangered species in Florida helped by manatee status discussions.

It is a shame that the record numbers of manatees lost in 2006 were the main impetus for the decision by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to delay downlisting the species from Endangered to Threatened. But the manatee situation helped focus public interest on the underlying problem, a flawed system for evaluating whether a species was endangered or not.

As an example, the Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi), would also be eligible for downlisting under the present criteria used by the Florida FWCC. This panther is considered one of the most endangered subspecies on earth with less than 100 adults in only one known breeding population.

But the public spoke, nearly 28,000 messages were sent to the governor’s office, asking him to keep the pressure on the commission. For those who made the effort, a very special thanks from the manatee and all the other Florida wildlife that will be helped by this change in attitude.

As 2007 comes to a close it is good to focus on some positive wildlife conservation news. I hope I can share more good news in 2008.