That's good news, considering a portion of the boat Saow's sea trials are done over a designated manatee habitat. "All of this area here around Venetian Marina is an essential manatee habitat.

Floridians love manatees. The marine animals, lovingly known as "sea cows" or "gentle giants," spend the winters swimming in ...

Hesch said the speeding boaters are putting the manatee habitat at risk. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said during winter months, manatees travel to canals since they are ...

Roff also said climate change and degradation of the manatee's habitat should be sufficient to re-classify them as endangered. READ MORE: Power plants keep Florida manatees warm. What happens when ...

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is the only national wildlife refuge in the United States made specifically to protect habitats for the Florida manatee. The manatees at the refuge need the ...