2021 trending toward record manatee deaths

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, more manatees have already died this year than in all of 2020.

The data comes from FWC’s latest manatee mortality report. Through April 9, 649 manatees have died in Florida waters compared to 2020′s total of 637. If the trend continues, experts warn 2021 could set a record for the number of dead sea cows plucked from Florida waters.

Roughly 40-percent of the manatees to die this year have died in the Indian River Lagoon. The die-off has been classified by FWC as an unusual mortality event.

Wildlife biologists say most of the manatees in the lagoon are starving to death because there isn’t enough seagrass to go around. The seagrass is dying because of algal blooms in the lagoon caused by nutrient run-off and other factors.

Advocacy groups like the Save the Manatee Club are calling for federal action to be taken.

You can support the club’s effort by clicking HERE.

Cox Media Group