Manatees

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.

Starting Nov. 1, visitors can check out the manatees as they seek refuge in TECO's warm waters in Apollo Beach.

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.

The lawsuit came after a record 1,100 manatees died in 2021 in Florida, many because a lack of seagrass — a key food source — led to starvation. The most deaths, 358, were in Brevard County, which includes a large part of the Indian River Lagoon.

The revised Florida map adds Silver Springs, Tampa Bay and Withlacoochee Bay.

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.

In this episode, we’re talking about Bob Graham’s environmental legacy - including his efforts to protect wild places like the Everglades and other waterways - and wildlife, like the manatee.

In this episode, we’re talking about Bob Graham’s environmental legacy - including his efforts to protect wild places like the Everglades and other waterways - and wildlife, like the manatee.