The manatee, long the poster mammal of the environmental movement in Florida, lost its endangered status from the state on Wednesday.

The controversial move was the latest and biggest political win for boating and building interests, which five years ago launched a campaign against a growing array of restrictions intended to protect the lumbering sea cows.

MiamiHerald.com | 06/08/2006 | Manatees lose their status as ‘endangered’ in Fla.