Tell Interior Secretary Deb Haaland: Starving manatees need our protection

Jim P Reid | Public Domain

Dear Interior Secretary Deb Haaland,

Last year, roughly 1 in 10 of Florida’s manatees died — many of starvation resulting from the degradation of their habitat.

As we approach winter, the conditions that made last year so dangerous have only persisted — and the manatees are still struggling with malnutrition. Yet since 2017, manatees have seen their protections under the Endangered Species Act reduced, even as researchers fear for their survival.

If we don’t improve their protections soon, we could risk losing one of Florida’s most iconic animals. For that reason, we the undersigned urge you to restore the manatees’ endangered status under the Endangered Species Act and grant them the fullest protections under federal law.

Sincerely,


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