The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to update the classification of the West Indian manatee by distinguishing between its two subspecies, listing the Florida manatee as a threatened species and the Antillean manatee as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This proposal involves removing the West Indian manatee from the list and replacing it with the two subspecies to provide them with distinct protections. The Florida manatee faces threats like habitat loss, watercraft collisions, and climate change, whereas the Antillean manatee is endangered by factors like poaching, low genetic diversity, and ineffective regulatory enforcement in some areas. Public comments are invited on this proposed rule until March 17, 2025.
Simple Explanation
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to give special protection to two types of manatees in Florida and nearby areas because they face different dangers. They plan to help one type by calling it "threatened" and another by calling it "endangered," like giving them superhero capes to keep them safe from stuff like boats and people hunting them.