Good News! Legislature Includes Funding for Manatee
Rescue and Critical Care Programs in State Budget

Action by Governor Crist is Still Required, As is Your Help


The Issue:
On May 1st, the vessel fee adjustment bill, SB 1286, was passed by both the Florida House and Senate. Upon being signed by Governor Charlie Crist, this bill will provide funding for the manatee rescue and rehabilitation program, University of Florida Marine Mammal Veterinary program, and retention of 66 law enforcement positions for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). "Thank you to everyone who wrote letters and e-mails and made calls to Florida Legislators and Governor Crist," said Patrick Rose, Executive Director for Save the Manatee Club. "This is a big victory for manatees!"

From 2001 - 2007, over 300 manatees have been treated under these programs. The success of these efforts will continue to grow now that biologists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and staff from oceanaria such as Lowry Park Zoo, Miami Seaquarium, and SeaWorld Orlando, are able to carry on. This funding will provide for the critical care of sick and injured manatees. Without it, many manatees would have needlessly suffered and died.

Benefits That State Funding Will Provide:

  • FWC biologists and oceanaria staff will continue to rescue injured or sick manatees.

  • Manatees will receive treatment and critical care at rehabilitation centers throughout Florida.
  • Released manatees will be closely monitored by the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership, in order to ensure that they are able to successfully adapt to life back in the wild.
A veterinarian removes fluid to treat an injured manatee. (Photo © Miami Seaquarium)
  • Government agencies, the University of Florida, and the oceanaria will work to gather and examine findings from injured and sick manatees to help prevent future threats to the manatee population and better protect Florida' aquatic environment.
  • The University of Florida's Aquatic Animal Health Program will maintain clinical and diagnostic support for Florida manatees, which will enhance our understanding of the manatee population.
  • University of Florida staff and students will continue their manatee research and conservation efforts.

  • Safety for manatees and boaters alike will be increased through the retention of 66 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission law enforcement positions.

Click here to see photos and get more information on manatees that have been rescued and treated under this program (pdf).

Warning: some images of the injured manatees are very graphic.

Photo © Miami Seaquarium  

What You Can Do:

  1. Please take a moment to send a quick online letter, thanking Governor Charlie Crist, Florida Speaker of the House Marco Rubio, Representative Ray Sansom, Representative Stan Mayfield, Senate President Ken Pruitt, Senator Lisa Carlton, Senator JD Alexander, and Senator Burt Saunders for their support in getting SB 1286 passed. Their contact information is below.

  2. Please send a donation to help us do even more to assist injured and sick manatees.

    SMC provides funds for equipment used in manatee rescue and rehabilitation efforts both in and outside of Florida, including nets, an isolation pool, a manatee care building, tracking gear, and diving equipment. The Club helped fund a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service project to help re-acclimate manatees to the wild and donated funds to help build a shelter for injured manatees awaiting transport in the Florida Keys. Save the Manatee Club is a member of the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) and provides funding and equipment to the MRP. In addition, SMC has donated seven boats and trailers to various agencies and organizations for manatee rescue and research purposes.


Thank you again for your help on this important issue for manatees!

Contact Information:

If you prefer to send an individual message, click on the links below to get contact information for Governor Charlie Crist and the following senators and representatives:

Florida Governor Charlie Crist


House Speaker Marco Rubio

Representative Stan Mayfield

Representative Ray Sansom

Senate President Ken Pruitt

Senator Lisa Carlton

Senator JD Alexander

Senator Burt Saunders