Manatees

A federal judge sided with arguments by an environmental group that wastewater discharges into the Indian River Lagoon led to the demise of seagrass and, as a result, the deaths of manatees. But he also said a trial is needed to determine whether the Florida Department of Environmental Protection violated the Endangered Species Act.

Florida’s dams and locks prove disruptive — and sometimes deadly — to wildlife.

The downtick is expected: the peak of perinatal mortality normally coincides with calving season in late spring/summer, per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota reopens Nov. 22 after hurricanes Helene and Milton brought flooding, roof damage, and the death of two otters. Mote is also welcoming its newest manatee resident.

As Hurricane Milton approaches, Crystal River wildlife researchers and advocates are concerned about how a second hurricane in less than two weeks will further affect manatee habitat.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is dealing with millions of dollars in damage after Hurricane Helene.

A federal judge this week refused to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that Florida has violated the Endangered Species Act because of sewage discharges into the Indian River Lagoon that have helped lead to manatee deaths.

Injured and sick manatees have a new place to get better. A manatee rehabilitation center is now open at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

The higher perinatal total indicates manatee reproduction is likely bouncing back from 2021’s starvation event.

Manatees are still facing die-offs from a lack of seagrass they eat, collisions with boats and red tide. A new facility opening around the first week in June will help at least some of them survive.

The lawsuit would be the latest legal move intended to protect the threatened sea cows, whose numbers have been decimated in recent years.

Over 1,000 Florida manatees died in 2021. That number is the peak in the current unusual mortality event.