Threatened species of Trichechus manatus manatus

The West Indian manatee was once abundant throughout the tropical and subtropical western North and South Atlantic and Caribbean waters. However, the manatee's numbers have been greatly reduced. Today the West Indian manatee is listed as an endangered species throughout its range. Antillean manatees have a patchy distribution throughout the Caribbean including Mexico, southern Texas, and northeastern South America. The southern range extends through Central and South America to Brazil.