Many years ago, manatees roamed the sea, but now they are close to extinction from hunters and boats. There was a close relative of the manatee that is now extincted called the Stellers Sea Cow. The Stellers Sea Cow has been extinct for over twenty years now. In Florida, the biggest predator to a manatee is a boat. Boats aren't the only thing threatening the manatee with pollution.
Chemical plants are a big threat.
The chemicals from them run into the ocean bays from rivers, destroying the manatee's habitat. The government has taken some action to protect manatees. If you are caught killing or harming manatees, you will be sentenced to five or more years in prison. When I'm an adult, I plan to help stop people from hunting manatees. If it was up to me to make the punishment, it would be life in prison.