Florida's iconic manatees have officially been relisted as "threatened" by U.S. Fish and Wildlife, which is a less dire classification than "endangered."
Florida's manatee population has grown from several hundred in 1967 to more than 6,300 counted last year in an annual statewide survey.
A listing as a "threatened" species would allow some flexibility for federal officials but maintain most of the protections afforded to animals listed as endangered. U.S. Fish and Widlife also says that current manatee protection measures will remain in place, including the manatee protection zones throughout Florida and enforcing boating speeds.
The manatees also enjoy protection under the Marin Mammal Protection Act.
In December 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received a petition from the Pacific Legal Foundation and Save Crystal River Inc., seeking to reclassify the West Indian manatee and its subspecies, the Florida manatee and Antillean manatee, from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
In July 2014, the service published its 90-day finding, determining that the petitioned reclassification may be warranted.
In January, the service proposed that the West Indian manatee be reclassified from endangered to threatened status under the ESA as a result of significant improvements in its population, habitat conditions and reductions in direct threats.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.