Total Number of U.S. Verified Deaths (including Puerto Rico)

Scientists break down the causes of manatee deaths into six different categories: Watercraft Collisions Flood Gate or Canal Lock (crushed / drowned) Other Human Related (deaths caused from monofiliment line / litter, poaching, vandalism, culverts / human-made structures) Undetermined (too badly decomposed, inconclusive necropsy finding, reported and verified but not recoverable) Dependent Calf (perinatal < 4.9 ft / 150 cm) Other Natural (cold, stress, red tide, disease)

Activities Discuss line, bar, and pie graphs and how they can be used. Using the information provided on this page have students design manatee mortality graphs. Reproduce the graphs on the chalkboard to stimulate class discussion on manatee mortality. What do students think the next few years will look like for mantees? Refer to the six categories listed above (6 causes of manatee death categories). Discuss them with your students. What causes of death might be placed in the Other Natural category? Undetermined? What is a Dependent Calf (Perinatal), and why do you think this category shows a higher percentage of deaths? Why aren't some manatee carcasses recovered?

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