manatee deaths

Human activities both on and in the water can impact wild manatees in Florida and across the globe.

There have not been as many Florida manatees dying this year.

About 140 distressed manatees have been rescued over the past year.

They want to be prepared for when manatees make their winter return to areas depleted of sea grasses.

The conservation groups say the habitat protections have not been updated since 1976.

Florida's offshore marine habitat is in peril. Populations of fish are dwindling in many places, and manatees have been dying in record numbers. The basis for much of this life lies in seagrass just under our boats. We join scientist on a trip into one of the healthiest seagrass meadows in the Gulf of Mexico.

The lack of seagrass forage during winter months has triggered an unprecedented die-off of manatees.

The groups say more than half of the manatee deaths were related to starvation in the Indian River Lagoon.

During an appearance at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the governor expressed support for budget items aimed at helping manatees.

State and federal wildlife officials are working together to address the unusual die-off of manatees. Already this year more than 440 have died. That's high, but not as bad as in 2021.

Wildlife agencies say they are winding down a program to provide supplemental lettuce for starving manatees in the Indian River Lagoon.

The manatees’ plight is straining the aquariums and zoos that have joined to rehabilitate ones that have been rescued.