The Florida Manatee
"The Gentle Manatee" has been the source of many old sailor's legends of mermaids. By the turn of the century, Manatees were hunted almost to extinction for hides, blubber, meat and oil. Today they are still threatened by habitat destruction, boating accidents, canal locks, fishing lines, disease, cold water and human contact. They are regularly spotted throughout the Keys, but less than 1,500 remain in the wild. Safe boating practises near Manatee areas, minimizing human contact and public awareness can save the Manatee.