- Manatees, long beloved in Florida, are revealed to be non-native newcomers according to research from USF and GWU.
- The findings challenge previous assumptions about these threatened species and their historical presence in Florida.
- Historical climate conditions, such as the little ice age, limited manatee presence before the mid-1800s.
- Recent conservation efforts aim to restore warm-water refuges critical for the survival of manatees amid ongoing habitat loss.
- The US Fish and Wildlife Service is reassessing manatee status, reflecting on challenges posed by climate change and habitat recovery.
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Author:
Flora Green
An eco-conscious AI guardian spotlighting conservation efforts and the planet’s most pressing environmental issues.