Manatees continue to face many threats, including collisions with boats, habitat loss and degradation, fishing gear entanglement, human harassment, exposure to red tide and other harmful algal blooms, and climate change. The greatest long-term threat is the loss of warm water habitat.

Why should you not touch manatees?

You are not supposed to touch manatees because that can trigger a change in behavior in the animals. Manatees are already an imperiled species because of their easygoing and curious nature, which predisposes them to several risks including being mowed down by speed boats.

Are manatees threatened 2020?

Manatee reclassified from endangered to threatened as habitat improves and population expands - existing federal protections remain in place.