Note
The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)
is one of the most endangered coastal marine
mammals in the world with an estimated population
of 3000 animals (Florida Manatee Recovery Plan,
1995). The long-term survival of this species is jeopardized
due largely to human-related and perinatal
mortality and loss or degradation of habitat caused by
widespread development in Florida. Human-related
mortality is primarily due to blunt or sharp traumatic
injuries from boat impacts and accounts for up to
30% of the annual manatee mortality. Additionally,
because of the manatees' ability to produce only a
single calf every 3 to 5 years, mortality may be exceeding
the species' ability to produce new animals.