Marine Animals

Manatee Welfare and Boat Strikes

West Indian manatees face boat propeller injuries as a leading welfare and conservation concern, with most manatees bearing propeller scars.

Key Facts

The majority of living West Indian manatees bear propeller scars
Boat strikes are the leading human-caused manatee mortality
Manatees swim slowly and cannot avoid boats easily
Speed zones in Florida have reduced but not eliminated strike deaths
They are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN

Welfare Considerations

Manatees struck by boat propellers suffer deep lacerations that can sever flippers, damage internal organs, and cause protracted deaths. Injured manatees that survive strikes may have impaired mobility that affects feeding and reproduction. The chronic presence of propeller injuries in the population represents ongoing, preventable suffering at significant scale.

What You Can Do

Observe manatee protection zones and slow speeds in manatee habitat
Support expansion of manatee protection zones
Donate to Save the Manatee Club
Report injured manatees to FWC 1-888-404-3922