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| The West Indian manatee (shown above) is divided into two subspecies: the Florida manatee and the Antillean manatee, which is found in the coastal and inland waterways of Central America, along the northern coast and eastern coasts of South America, and in spotty populations throughout the wider Caribbean basin. (Photo © David Schrichte) |
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Sirenians of the World
Q. How many manatees are left in the world?
--Talia Da Yun Pizer, Massachusetts
A. The best way to answer this question is to breakdown the numbers by the three different manatee species and the one dugong species.
The West Indian manatee consists of two subspecies: the Florida manatee and the Antillean manatee. The most recent synoptic survey data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) estimates that there are 4,834 Florida manatees. However, this is only a minimum count at the time of the survey. As for the Antillean manatee, it is estimated there are between 2,800 and 5,600 manatees left. Combined, there are between 7,634 and 10,434 West Indian manatees.
The second and third manatee species are the Amazonian manatee and the West African manatee. There are very little data on both species, and therefore there are no population estimates. However, it is likely that both populations are fairly small. Both face pressures from hunting, loss of habitat, and pollution.
Lastly, there is the dugong, which is found in the Indo-Pacific, especially around Australia. It is estimated that there are around 80,000 dugongs remaining throughout this region. While about 70,000 can be found in Australian waters, the remaining 10,000 are scattered in smaller groups from the eastern coast of Africa to the waters of southern Asia and the major archipelagoes.
Manatees and dugongs belong to the scientific order Sirenia. All sirenian species in the world are listed as endangered or vulnerable by the IUCN - World Conservation Union.
--Courtney Edwards
Staff Biologist, Save the Manatee Club
Note: Unless otherwise noted, population numbers are from Ecology and Conservation of the Sirenia: Dugongs and Manatees by Helene Marsh, Thomas O’Shea, and John Reynolds (2012).
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| School children in Gabon, West Africa, show off their decorated coloring and activity books provided by Save the Manatee Club. The coloring books are designed to help the children learn about endangered West African manatees. (Photo by Naomi Parnell.) |
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