Manatees, Florida panthers, American crocodiles, peregrine falcons and Wood storks are among the more than one dozen once-prolific species that now roam the park. More than 5.5 million people now live along the park's fringes. It was President Harry Truman who executed the pen stroke that was intended to save the Everglades. After that, the federal government, bowing to public demand, built an intricate series of canals to protect area farmers from floods. The system drained some areas of the park, and flooded others, destroying habitats of animals and birds.
Environmentalists call it the largest ecological rescue in history.
Some of them say that despite the park's ever-present threats, there is reason to celebrate its golden anniversary. That's a tremendous thing to celebrate. Correspondent Robert Vito, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you.