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West Indian Manatees live in the shallow spring-fed waters of Kings Bay, at the headwaters of Florida’s Crystal Rivers. An endangered species, the West Indian Manatee had been hunted for its meat, oil, skin and bone, which was used as ivory. They are now protected in Florida. Because they are endangered the Museum did not collect specimens for display; instead they are constructed from fiberglass. This diorama can be seen among the Wildlife Exhibits. The dioramas are curated by John Demboski, Curator of Vertebrate Zoology, Kirk Johnson, Vice President of Research & Collections and Chief Curator, and Kris Haglund, Chair of Bailey Library & Archives & Archivist.
Department of Zoology