Florida manatees have been officially denied greater Endangered Species Act protections. This decision comes after the species has endured more than three years of a devastating die-off event in which more than 2,000 manatees have starved to death. Yet despite the mortality data, the Service failed to incorporate the threat into their decision. Originally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1973, manatees have never truly recovered, as they must contend with a barrage of human threats from boat strikes, to human-accelerated climate change, loss of habitat and food. Though they remain protected as a threatened species, we'll keep working to earn greater protections for these beloved “chubby mermaids.” #floridamanatees #manatee #chubbymermaids #marinemammal #wildlifeconservation #environmentalconservation