BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — November is Manatee Awareness Month.
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Some animal advocates say Florida manatees need stronger protections.
Some wildlife experts say the gentle creatures are getting closer to the brink of extinction.
Watch: Fewer manatee deaths reported in Florida this year, fatal boat strikes increase, data shows
Officials said almost 500 manatees have died this year and right now, there are only about 3,000 manatees left.
There’s also a shortage of seagrass, which is the main food source for the mammals.
See: ‘Stranded high & dry’: Manatee rescued along a dirt road in Florida
The natural food shortage has led to mass starvation.
The federal government is now deciding whether to change to manatee’s status from threatened to endangered.
Read: 9 tips to keep manatees safe this spring
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