Stockton mayor considers plan for manatees to clear weed from waterways

STOCKTON, Calif. (KGO) -- The mayor of Stockton is considering a plan to import manatees from Florida to get rid of a weed that is clogging city waterways.

Mayor Anthony Silva says the so-called sea cows will eat the invasive water hyacinth plants, which make it difficult for boats to navigate.

Silva is also offering the plant to manufacturers for use in furniture and using it as a biofuel.

Experts say the manatee idea might work in theory but manatees are endangered, so moving them from Florida to Central California would not be allowed.

They add that the animals also would not survive in the cold delta waters.