West Indian manatee photo by Jim O'Donnell on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / share alike).
Official State Marine Mammal of Alabama
Alabama designated the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) as the official state marine mammal in 2009 (Act 2009-488). All Mammal Symbols All Aquatic Life Symbols
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced March 30, 2017 that, as a result of significant improvements in its population and habitat conditions, the West Indian manatee is down-listed from endangered to threatened status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The change in status does not mean less protection for the manatee. It remains protected under the ESA and also under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
