At a glance
- IUCN category
- VU · Vulnerable
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Amazonian manatee is the only manatee that lives entirely in fresh water, found in the rivers of the Amazon basin. It is assessed as Vulnerable.
It is a slow, plant-eating mammal that grazes on aquatic vegetation.
Range & habitat
The Amazon River basin of South America.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Hunting for meat
- Bycatch and habitat change
- Pollution and reduced water quality
Why it matters
As the only fully freshwater manatee, the Amazonian manatee helps keep river vegetation in check and is a flagship for Amazon freshwater conservation.
Sources
Sources for Amazonian Manatee
- IUCN Red List — look up Amazonian Manatee (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Amazonian manatee unique?
It is the only manatee species that lives entirely in fresh water, never entering the sea, and is found only in the Amazon basin.
Why is the Amazonian manatee Vulnerable?
Published assessments cite hunting for meat, bycatch and habitat change, and pollution. See the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.
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