Manatee Appreciation Day

Manatee Appreciation Day is an international holiday dedicated to manatees. These marine animals are harmless to humans, but their population declines every year. Human activity is to blame. The holiday was created to draw public attention to the problem of the decline of these mammals. The holiday is celebrated every year on the last Wednesday of March.

History

Researchers suggest that manatees appeared about 2.5 million years ago. To date, there are only three species of these mammals, classified according to their habitat – the American, Amazonian, and African manatees. The American species is the most studied.

The creation of Manatee Appreciation Day occurred in 1981, initiated by the advocacy organization Save the Manatee Club.

The animals have egg-shaped heads and flat tails. They resemble elephants in color. They live in slow-moving rivers, bays with seawater, and canals. Their life consists of traveling between habitats, sleeping, and searching for food. These mammals are herbivores, feeding on algae.

All manatee species are listed in the Red Book. Pollution of water bodies, which provokes algae blooms, and accidental collisions with ship propellers are major causes of their population decline. Additionally, just a few decades ago, manatees were actively hunted for their meat (considered a delicacy), which greatly reduced their numbers.

Interesting facts

• Manatees are very massive animals, weighing up to 600 kg. Their body length averages 3.5-4 meters.
• Mammals can stay underwater for up to 20 minutes, but most often come to the surface after 5 minutes.
• Many researchers have concluded that people who claimed to have seen mermaids might have actually seen manatees coming to the surface.

How to celebrate

Learn more about manatees on this day. Direct funding to support an organization that protects this species. Only by working together can we save these mammals!

Spread the word on social media. Let more people know about them!

When is Manatee Appreciation Day in 2025?

Manatee Appreciation Day is observed annually on the last Wednesday of March.

Observations