Manatees have on endangered species list since it was first publish in 1967. But now there are chances that the species would be down-listed to threatened category.

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is carrying out a status review to determine whether or not manatees should be moved from endangered to threatened. In December 2012, the Pacific Legal Foundation filed suit with FWS on behalf of Save Crystal River, Inc., urging the federal agency to remove the West Indian manatee from endangered list.

They filed their suit on the basis of analysis and recommendation present in FWS's 2007 review. PLF attorney Christina M. Martin said the lawsuit was important as environment policy should remain transparent.

"Changing the manatee's status from endangered to threatened won't change the protections for the species. But not changing that status - when the science says it should be changed - will undermine the credibility of environmental oversight", stated PLF attorney Christina M. Martin.

The FWS confirmed that the population of manatees is increasing. It can be said that they are stable across much of Florida. As per a survey carried out in January 2011, 4,834 manatees were counted.

On Tuesday, the agency announced its review of the West Indian manatee including the Florida manatee will also include a 60-day comment period. The review will analyze the 2012 petition and a lawsuit filed by Save Crystal River Inc.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the number appears to have increased in certain parts of the state. But researchers want to know updated number.

Patrick Rose, Executive Director of the Save the Manatee Club, does not think manatees' status should be revised. There are many problems like loss of manatees' main diet, sea grass. Habitat loss and disease are other primary factors. Rose wants manatees to remain as endangered species.