Florida manatees face major welfare threats from boat propeller injuries and cold stress events. Both causes of suffering are preventable through targeted policies and conservation action.
Manatee welfare is compromised by two major preventable threats. Boat propellers cause severe lacerations, bone damage, and internal injuries — many manatees survive strikes but suffer chronic pain from repeated injuries. Cold stress events cause manatees to aggregate at warm-water outflows, becoming stranded when facilities reduce flow. Both threats cause significant acute and chronic suffering. Speed zones in manatee habitats and protection of warm-water refugia during winter are the most direct welfare interventions.