It's Manatee Appreciation Day

Manatee Appreciation Day falls on the final Wednesday of March and honors the large aquatic creatures also known as "sea cows."

The gentle herbivore marine mammals live along the Southeastern coast of the U.S. and can grow to be up to 1,200 pounds. They may look somewhat like walruses or seals but they are most closely related to elephants.

Although they are protected under law, manatees are at risk of being harmed or killed by watercraft. People are discouraged from interacting with them.

For more information, go to the conservation website savethemanatee.org.