West Indian Manatee

Alabama State Marine Mammal

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West Indian Manatee

West Indian manatee photo by Jim O'Donnell on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / share alike).

Official State Marine Mammal of Alabama

Alabama designated the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) as the official state marine mammal in 2009 (Act 2009-488). All Mammal Symbols  All Aquatic Life Symbols

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced March 30, 2017 that, as a result of significant improvements in its population and habitat conditions, the West Indian manatee is down-listed from endangered to threatened status under the Endangered Species Act  (ESA).  The change in status does not mean less protection for the manatee.  It remains protected under the ESA and also under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.  

Alabama

Images

West Indian Manatee; official state symbol of Alabama.  Photo by S. Whitcraft, USFWS/Flickr (use permitted with attribution).

West Indian Manatee
West Indian manatee photo by Vince Smith on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / share alike.
West Indian Manatee swimming

Videos

Restoration Gulf Coast: Helping Alabama's Manatees