The vulnerability of manatees as oil spill continues to spread

As oil from that gusher in the Gulf continues to wash onshore, a lot of attention has been paid to pelicans and other birds coated by the sticky stuff. But what about our fellow mammals — such as the manatee? Florida Public Radio’s Scott Finn spoke with manatee expert John Reynolds, who directs the Center for Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Research at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota. He says manatees have special features that make them vulnerable to the oil.

[audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/2manateQ.mp3]