Jenna Golden, science and outreach coordinator for Save the Manatee Club, said that the manatee is graceful, but also rather slow.

Image Credit: Save The Manatee Club
The manatee also has to come to the surface frequently for air. This makes them more likely to be injured by passing boats.

Image Credit: Save The Manatee Club
Some coastal waterways have put speed regulations into place to slow the boats down. It is a start, but it isn’t enough.

Image Credit: Save The Manatee Club
Jenna says that the number of deaths due to boat accidents isn’t truly known. Many deaths go unnoticed or unreported. A truly sad thing is when a mother manatee (who is nursing her baby) is killed.

Image Credit: Save The Manatee Club