Not a good year for our beloved manatees
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission reports that over 1,000 manatees have died to date in 2021, a major spike in the mortality. The species is vulnerable to injury and death when stuck by the propellers of passing boats, hence these widespread FWC warning signs. But malnutrition is thought to be the primary cause of this year’s surge, especially in the Tampa Bay Area, which suffered major pollution from red tide and a gypsum stack leak.
Not a good year for our beloved manatees
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission reports that over 1,000 manatees have died to date in 2021, a major spike in the mortality. The species is vulnerable to injury and death when stuck by the propellers of passing boats, hence these widespread FWC warning signs. But malnutrition is thought to be the primary cause of this year’s surge, especially in the Tampa Bay Area, which suffered major pollution from red tide and a gypsum stack leak.