The manatee is a vulnerable species due to several factors, including habitat loss, hunting, and water pollution.
- Habitat loss: Coastal development, such as the construction of marinas and seawalls, destroys or fragments manatee habitats, making it difficult for them to find food and shelter. Additionally, changes in water quality due to pollution and human activities can affect the growth of seagrass beds, the manatee's primary food source.
- Hunting: In some areas, manatees are still hunted for their meat, despite international and national protections.
- Water pollution: Manatees are negatively affected by exposure to toxic substances and harmful algal blooms, can cause illness and death by impairing their respiratory, digestive, reproductive systems. Some toxic substances can also accumulate in manatees' body tissues which lead to long-term chronic effects, including immune, endocrine disruption, or even genetic damage which might affect their survivability in the marine environment