The manatee is a mammal belonging to the order Sirenia, a group of animals related to elephants and extraordinarily well adapted to aquatic life. They share with them their extreme longevity, reaching a life span of 60 years.
The term sirenian is related to the first sightings by Christopher Columbus and other explorers, who confused them with sirens. Manatee, on the other hand, in the Indian language means 'with breasts'.
Of the four species of manatees that exist today, which appear in this series of images is the Florida manatee, in fact considered to be a subspecies of Trichechus manatus. Its full name is Trichechus manatus latirostris.
All Sirenia populations have declined over the past centuries, disappearing completely in some regions. The main causes of this decline are related to human activities being hit by sea vessels, entanglement in fishing gear. Other factors threatening manatee populations are over-hunting and the modification of their natural habitat. Furthermore, these animals often approach artificial sources of heat seeking warmer waters. This dependency causes, in many cases, that they do not perform their usual migration.
In the United States, the species is considered endangered since 1973 by the Endangered Species Act which was enacted the same year.
On the coasts of Florida, the abundance of springs that flow into the Gulf of Mexico, together with the low action by wind or waves, create an excellent home and habitat for wildlife in the area.
In order to preserve and conserve this unique space Crystal River Preserve State Park was created, with more than 27,000 hectares of scrub, pine forests, salt marshes and mangroves. It has a long history of volunteerism and support of numerous organizations since its founding in 1930. Guided tours by rangers or volunteers are popular activities within the reserve. These visits have a valuable role in educating and raising public awareness of its river systems, as well as all the wildlife that inhabits them.
Within the reserve and for the protection and the specific conservation of Trichechus manatus latirostris, the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1983. It is a sanctuary within the reserve whose mission is to conserve the last pristine natural habitat at the head of river. The refuge protects the warm water springs that provide the essential habitat for populations of this species that are in serious danger of extinction.