A new and eye-catching stamp from the U.S. Postal Service is set to hit the shelves in just a few weeks, bringing attention to the plight of the manatee, a beloved marine mammal facing threats to its survival.

Illustrated by Nancy Wright, the nationwide release of the "Save Manatees" stamp is scheduled for Wednesday, March 27, aligning with Manatee Appreciation Day. The stamp's design seeks to increase awareness of the significance of safeguarding these gentle creatures.

This isn't the first time the Postal Service has highlighted manatees on a stamp. The last time was in 1996 when the cost was 32 cents. According to USPS spokesperson Sue Brennan, it was time for a new stamp to continue the Postal Service's tradition of supporting animal and conservation issues.

The stamp features the West Indian manatee, characterized as a docile and delicate marine mammal found in a range of warm-water habitats such as Florida's inland waterways and the coastal regions of the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico.

Classified as a threatened species, manatees face the risk of becoming endangered in the near future due to factors like their limited reproductive rates. Female manatees typically produce one calf at a time and may provide care for it for a duration of up to two years.

To support manatee conservation efforts and spread awareness, individuals can purchase the "Save Manatees" stamp for 68 cents each or a book of 20 for $13.60. These stamps, classified as First-Class Mail Forever stamps, can be used for sending letters, cards, and bills without worrying about additional stamp increases.