Manatee Appreciation Day is celebrated every year on the last Wednesday of March to raise awareness for these gentle giants. Manatees are herbivorous marine mammals with no known natural enemy and they are currently endangered. This day is devoted to learning about, appreciating, and helping these beautiful creatures.
What Are Manatees?
Manatees are large aquatic mammals that live in shallow coastal waters and rivers. They have a large body with a rounded head, small eyes, and two flippers. They can grow up to 13 feet in length and weigh up to 1,300 pounds! Manatees are slow-moving animals that feed on sea grass and other aquatic plants.
Why Are Manatees Endangered?
Unfortunately, manatees are an endangered species due to human activity such as boat collisions, habitat destruction, water pollution, fishing gear entanglement, and hunting. The main threat to manatees is from boats; they can be injured or killed by boat propellers if they get too close. It’s important for boaters to be aware of their surroundings when out on the water so that they don’t accidentally hurt any manatees in the area.
How Can We Help Protect Manatees?
There are several ways we can help protect manatees:
- Support organizations like Save the Manatee Club which works to protect manatee habitats and educate people about them.
- Follow local boating speed limits when out on the water so you don’t injure any manatees in the area.
- Avoid throwing trash into the ocean or river as it can harm manatees who may ingest it or become entangled in it.
- Plant native vegetation along shorelines as this helps provide food sources for manatees and other marine life in the area.
Conclusion
Manatee Appreciation Day is an important reminder of how we need to take care of our environment so that these gentle giants can continue to thrive for generations to come! Let’s all do our part by following local boating laws, avoiding throwing trash into waterways, supporting organizations like Save the Manatee Club, and planting native vegetation along shorelines whenever possible!
Sources:
- https://nationaltoday.com/manatee-appreciation-day/
- https://nationaldaycalendar.com/manatee-appreciation-day-last-wednesday-in-march/
- https://www.savethemanatee.org/event/manatee-awareness-day/
