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<p>Scientists describe the Florida manatee as an example of the kind of “charismatic species” that benefits disproportionately from conservation research, policy, and funding. In the past, conservation scientists often judged charismatic species based on inherent traits, such as being large or human-like. Today, thanks to the improved theories by Lorimer (<CitationRef CitationID="CR82">2007</CitationRef>) and Fordahl (<CitationRef CitationID="CR50">2024</CitationRef>), there is a growing understanding that non-human charisma is a social construct. I examine the social and historical construction of the Florida manatee as a charismatic species through a systematic review of textual and pictorial representations published between 1870 and 1960. In line with Lorimer’s (<CitationRef CitationID="CR82">2007</CitationRef>) model of ecological charisma, the increase in sea cow and human populations played a key role by raising the frequency of encounters. However, the development of manatee charisma was primarily driven by changes in the types of reputational managers and their messaging. Conservationists should feel empowered by the understanding that non-human charisma is socially and historically constructed, as it shows they can influence which species become charismatic.</p>

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From Edible to Iconic, and from Queer to Charismatic: the Social and Historical Construction of the Florida Manatee as a Charismatic Species

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月24日

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  • Thomas J. Pluckhahn

摘要

Scientists describe the Florida manatee as an example of the kind of “charismatic species” that benefits disproportionately from conservation research, policy, and funding. In the past, conservation scientists often judged charismatic species based on inherent traits, such as being large or human-like. Today, thanks to the improved theories by Lorimer (2007) and Fordahl (2024), there is a growing understanding that non-human charisma is a social construct. I examine the social and historical construction of the Florida manatee as a charismatic species through a systematic review of textual and pictorial representations published between 1870 and 1960. In line with Lorimer’s (2007) model of ecological charisma, the increase in sea cow and human populations played a key role by raising the frequency of encounters. However, the development of manatee charisma was primarily driven by changes in the types of reputational managers and their messaging. Conservationists should feel empowered by the understanding that non-human charisma is socially and historically constructed, as it shows they can influence which species become charismatic.