Florida planning for additional feeding efforts to help save struggling manatees
559 manatees were found dead during the first five months of 2022.
Cold weather, starvation takes toll on manatees
Florida reported 97 manatee deaths during the first 28 days of January. (Video from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida officials are planning to take additional actions, which could include a second manatee supplemental feeding program later this year, if natural seagrass growth cannot fulfill the needs of the endangered animals.
During a media conference on Wednesday, experts with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said their initial review of data collected during the first of its type effort over the winter months found no environmental issues created by the program.
From December through March, biologists used more than 200,000 pounds of lettuce in an effort to prevent starvation amongst the giant sea cows in Central Florida.
Experts believe the growth of the herbivores’ dietary plants has been stunted over recent years due to pollution and algal blooms that have led to an unusually high mortality event.
More than 1,100 manatees died in 2021, setting a new state record.
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Data provided by the FWC for the first five months of 2022 show the mortality count of the species to be lower than 2021 but much higher than the five-year running average.
"We are still doing a lot of planning and getting ready for next winter and fall," an FWC official said during the media conference. "Depending on what the conditions are like this summer, we could see a similar response and a similar event to this past winter."
Recently biologists have noticed seagrass regrowing in the vital habitat of the Indian River Lagoon, but officials caution any type of algal bloom or significant event could easily wipe away gains, leaving the manatees susceptible without help from humans.
SHARKS AND TARPONS AND MANATEES, OH MY!
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Image 1 of 7A manatee swims beside a tour boat in the Crystal River Preserve State Park on January 07, 2020, in Crystal River, Florida. (Paul Rovere/Getty Images)
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Image 2 of 7Manatees feed in a recovery pool at the David A. Straz, Jr., Manatee Critical Care Center in ZooTampa at Lowry Park in Tampa, Florida, on January 19, 2021. - Red tides caused by human use of fertilizers, loss of food in their natural habitat and collision with boats are the main causes of manatee deaths. And in 2021, the numbers have skyrocketed. From January 1 to April 16, 674 manatees were found dead in Florida waters, according to the Florida Wildlife Service. That's nearly triple the manatee deaths recorded during the same period for each of the past five years. (Photo by EVA MARIE UZCATEGUI/AFP via Getty Images)
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Image 3 of 7Four juvenile manatees were transported from SeaWorld Orlando to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio where they will continue their rehabilitation. (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
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Image 4 of 7Four juvenile manatees were transported from SeaWorld Orlando to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio where they will continue their rehabilitation. (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
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Image 5 of 7Four juvenile manatees were transported from SeaWorld Orlando to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio where they will continue their rehabilitation. (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
![Manatees at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Florida.]()
Image 6 of 7Manatees at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Florida. (Image credit: Save the Manatee Club) ( )
![A manatee and her calf at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Florida.]()
Image 7 of 7A manatee and her calf at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Florida. (Image credit: Save the Manatee Club) ( )
Members of the mortality response team said they continue to examine data from their four-month-long trial program to possibly replicate the results elsewhere in the state but so far have not solidified plans to expand operations.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates there are only around 7,500 manatees left in Sunshine State.
With Memorial Day weekend here, officials remind boaters to be cautious of the endangered species, and if they see an animal in distress, let the FWC know about it by calling 888-404-3922.