Mammals, Marine Life, Environment, Reference 

Of all the sea mammals, the manatees and their cousin dugongs, attract the least amount of attention from humans. These little-known and often misunderstood animals are fascinating and well worth knowing. In spite of their large size, they are completely harmless to both man and other animals. When in the vicinity of humans, they exhibit an appealing curiosity and even affection. Most of the study of the manatee has been done in Florida. The Manatee is still hunted in various parts of the world for its meat, and in those parts of the world where it is not hunted, it is frequently the victim of boating accidents. Through the work of several conservation organizations and increased public awareness, there are some encouraging signs for the future of the manatee. The population of the Florida manatee seems to be gradually increasing! - from Amzon