Oil Spill Threatens AL Manatees

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill has cut across the path of endangered manatees that migrate every year from peninsular Florida to Mobile Bay, Alabama. The manatees, which number between a couple dozen and 100 depending on the year, have made it safely this year to Mobile Bay, which is so far unaffected by the oil. However, should it arrive, the manatees will be in trouble, as it will likely coat the vegetation they consume. “They’re not here accidentally,” says Dr. Ruth Carmichael. “Maybe they’re coming because of habitat loss in Florida. So even though they’re a small part of the overall manatee population, a loss of even one or two animals represents a large percentage of those in this group.”