Manatee Population Hits Record Numbers

Researchers may never be able to prove that manatees are objectively the most adorable thing ever (even though they clearly are), but they are able to report that the state-wide manatee population is on the rise.

Back in 2001, researchers counted 3,300 manatees. There were only 1,706 in a 1997 survey. But a week-long survey this month turned up 3,807 manatees. This is the highest number in Florida on record. They're still classified as being vulnerable to extinction. Boat strikes and other human-caused manatee deaths present a big problem to the small population.

These new numbers are promising though, and can only mean that there's a lot of hot, hot manatee love going on in our waters.