The manatee could be bumped from the endangered species list for the first time since it was added in 1967. Federal officials say the move would be a good sign for the animal, but the possibility hasn't gone over well with conservationists.
"If we come to the end of this and decide reclassification is warranted, it's good news because it means the manatee is recovering and no longer on the brink of extinction," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Chuck Underwood, as quoted by the Associated Press.
The federal agency is reviewing a possible reclassification of the manatee that would shift the animal from endangered to "threatened" status; the review process will take about a year.
Around 10 feet in length and 2,200 pounds in weight on average, manatees inhabit shorelines and coastal waterways around Florida, where they face threats including boats, toxic algae and fishing debris.
Some believe the vegetarian giants need even more protection than their current endangered status affords.
Chicago resident Greg Groff, who takes his daughter to visit the manatees at Miami Seaquarium on each Florida trip, says that speed boats pose risks to the marine mammals since boaters find ways around speed restrictions.
"There's plenty of places they can go faster," Groff told the AP. "They can go out in the middle of the ocean if they want to go much, much, much quicker, and you won't have to worry about them running the manatees over."
Those who support the reclassification say that the manatee species has recovered enough in the past 47 years to be relisted as threatened.
"Does anyone ever want to talk about how last year 1,000 manatees were born? Heck, no. All they want to talk about is how many died," said Steve Lamb, vice president of Save Crystal River, as quoted by the AP.
Compromising around 100 members that include recreational boaters, tour operators, dive shops and hotels, Save Crystal River petitioned for the manatee's reclassification along with the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation in 2012.
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