by Sarah M.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently released the results of its annual aerial survey for manatees. The Commission counted a minimum of 6,250 manatees this year — up by over 1,000 from the 2010 record of 5,077!

The survey, conducted in February, found about 3,300 manatees on the easy coast and about 3,000 on the west coast. Surveys are conducted early in the year due to the cold weather as the manatees to huddle for warmth, thereby enabling an accurate count. The survey was then verified by 16 observers from 11 different organizations, ensuring the reliability of the count.

Snorkelers interact with a Florida manatee in the Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River. (via The Washington Post)

Andrew Gude, manager of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, called the growing manatee population “a success story.” Gude says that, as a result of the booming number of manatees:

“Tourism has also gone through the roof. You can rent a car and for $40 you can swim with a mammal that will never rip you apart. The reason the [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service] has been so supportive is that when people see the manatees and get in the water with them, in a lot of ways it changes their lives and they’re a lot more conservation-minded.” (via The Washington Post)

With more manatees floating off the coast than ever, tourists now have an even greater chance to see and swim with the sea cows. This life-changing experience will lead to an even greater number of inspired, conservation-minded ecotourists visiting areas like Crystal River and Three Sisters Springs.

Manatee in Crystal River enjoying a belly-rub. (via National Geographic)

In downlisting the manatee from endangered to threatened, the change would not affect federal protections currently afforded by the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the USFWS remains committed to conservation actions to fully recover manatee populations. (via USFWS)

Cindy Dohner, USFWS Southeast Regional Director, lauded the downlisting proposal as “a great testament to the conservation actions of many” and a sign of “progress” for the manatee’s long-term success and recovery.

The manatee downlisting is a well thought-out proposal and is not premature. Celebrate the conservation efforts that have helped save the manatee.

Tell USFWS that it’s time to downlist the manatee.

There are several ways to let USFWS hear your opinion before the April 7th deadline.

Submit a comment on the proposed rule here. Tweet @Interior, @USFWS and @USFWSSoutheast: I support @USFWS reclassifying the #Florida #manatee as “threatened”! #ManateeJubilee Share this post with your friends and family via social media.

Together, we saved the manatee. Let’s celebrate what we’ve accomplished.