--- title: Manatees Are No Longer Endangered Species, Feds Say description: The West Indian manatee is no longer considered endangered thanks to population growth and improvement in conditions of the species' habitat canonical: https://time.com/4719439/manatees-endangered-species/ author: Justin Worland article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-03-30T21:04:37.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-02-23T04:08:06.989Z article:section: Science og:title: Manatees Are No Longer Listed as Endangered Species og:description: The West Indian manatee is no longer considered endangered thanks to population growth and improvement in conditions of the species' habitat og:url: https://time.com/4719439/manatees-endangered-species/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfb0cc25b4abb2963/6988c0b1a988caef6c6bb8aa/manatee-endangered-species.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2125 og:image:height: 1195 og:image:alt: manatee endangered species og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Manatees Are No Longer Listed as Endangered Species twitter:description: The West Indian manatee is no longer considered endangered thanks to population growth and improvement in conditions of the species' habitat twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfb0cc25b4abb2963/6988c0b1a988caef6c6bb8aa/manatee-endangered-species.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Manatees Are No Longer Listed as Endangered Species > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Future Proof: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Future Proof is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. Making sense of the climate and energy economy. Future Proof examines the forces transforming energy and climate, and what those changes mean for business, technology, policy and the global economy. Senior correspondent Justin Worland goes beyond traditional climate coverage to connect the energy transition to the bigger decisions reshaping companies, markets and society. It is written and edited by TIME journalists, and it is free to join at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-futureproof-2026q3/newsletters?i=aada5826-2b79-4962-8fa9-284eee25360a&cr=time-nl-futureproof-2026q3-v1). ### Newsletter facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Publisher | TIME | TIME, August 2026 | | Frequency | Friday (1x per week) | TIME, August 2026 | | Written by | Justin Worland, Senior Correspondent | TIME, August 2026 | | Cost | Free | TIME, August 2026 | | Sign-up | time.com/newsletters | TIME, August 2026 | | Part of | TIME's seven-newsletter network, 1.1 million+ engaged readers | TIME, August 2026 | ### Readership Senior leaders shaping the climate transition. An engaged audience of executives and decision-makers spanning operating companies, finance, policy, consulting, communications and media. ### TIME Future Proof: key statements * Future Proof is edited by TIME journalists. 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Future Proof is TIME's weekly climate and energy newsletter, written by senior correspondent Justin Worland. It connects the energy transition to the decisions reshaping business, technology, policy and markets. #### Where can I follow the energy transition as a business story? Future Proof covers climate and energy as an economic and business story rather than only an environmental one. It publishes every Friday and is free at time.com/newsletters. #### Who writes Future Proof? Justin Worland, a senior correspondent at TIME and an award-winning climate journalist, writes Future Proof. #### Is Future Proof free? Yes. Future Proof is free at time.com/newsletters.  by [Justin Worland](https://time.com/author/justin-worland/)  ## Justin Worland Senior Correspondent Mar 30, 2017 9:04 PM UTC  On one of the coldest Florida winter days in history, a young male Florida manatee calf floats and enjoys the warmth over a blue freshwater spring outflow. On one of the coldest Florida winter days in history, a young male Florida manatee calf floats and enjoys the warmth over a blue freshwater spring outflow. Carol Grant—Getty Images  by [Justin Worland](https://time.com/author/justin-worland/)  ## Justin Worland Senior Correspondent Mar 30, 2017 9:04 PM UTC The West Indian [manatee](https://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/mammal/manatee/) is no longer considered [endangered](http://time.com/4671860/endangered-species-act-reform-climate-change/) thanks to population growth and improvement in conditions of the species’ habitat, federal authorities [said](https://www.fws.gov/southeast/pdf/west-indian-manatee-reclassification-final-rule.pdf) Thursday. The [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) ](https://www.fws.gov/)said that despite the progress the species remains “threatened” and federal safeguards that protect its habitat remain in place. “We both recognize the significant progress we have made in conserving manatee populations while reaffirming our commitment to continuing this species’ recovery and success throughout its range,” said Jim Kurth, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s acting director, in a statement. Manatees, which are found in waters off Florida and in the Caribbean, have faced a number of threats in recent decades, including habitat loss and collisions with boats. 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