the manatee is a unique creature. it's docile, friendly attitude, clumsy appearance, and relative harmlessness make it a distinct part of nature's beauty. the manatee is an important part of tropical coastal waterways clogged with too much vegetation and provides a tremendous mount of tourism revenue all by itself.
if the species had never existed, we might see overgrowing vegetation in coastal plains -- doubled even now with the use of fertilizer in agriculture.
all in all, the manatee is the sort of peaceful animal that draws us closer to our roots with nature. anything the makes a human pander his transcendental spirit, flirting with enlightenment with nature, is a good thing. the manatee cannot be lost.
so, my friends, it is time now that you took up the struggle as well. every species serves a greater purpose, as does the manatee, and as should you. help the manatee by keeping current on the news, lobby/pester your legislature if at all possible for Environment-friendly action. vote for john kerry. be all that you can be! help show the tourism industry that the manatee pays!
...and if you are really motivated, become a volunteer and move to Florida. it can't be that bad.
sources:
Bannister, Keith, and Adam Campbell. "Order: Sirenia." The Encyclopedia of aquatic life. New York: Facts on File, 1985.
Huffman, Brent. West Indian Manatee. 22 Mar. 2004. ultimateungulate.com. 05 Oct. 2004 <http://www.ultimateungulate.com/Sirenia/Trichechus_manatus.html>.
Runge, Michael C. "A Model for Assessing Incidental Take of Manatees." Diss. 2001. Marine Mammal Protection 1 (2001):I-36, I-45.
Save the Manatee Club. 03 Mar. 2003. Savethemanatee.com. 05 Oct. 2004 <http://www.savethemanatee.org/faqprotection.htm>.