Sadly, manatees face a winter of limited food supplies in Florida waters after their deaths hit record levels this year.
The original record was set in 2013 when 830 manatees died from a toxic algae bloom. But this year, in just six months, their death toll has surpassed that number. Between January 1 and July 2, 841 animals died along the Florida coast, and a total of more than 1,000 have died this year, representing 15% of the state’s manatee population.
To prevent more deaths, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Florida Light & Electric Company are all working together to reduce deaths. manatees and through a new step feed them.
They will now use FPL’s Cape Canaveral Clean Energy Center in Brevard County while conducting a manatee rescue, carcass recovery, health assessment and short-term feeding trial.
The manatees have struggled to find food because of the decline of seagrass beds that are prime winter feeding grounds, leaving most of them severely malnourished. It is estimated that 58% of seagrasses have been lost in the lagoon north of the Indus, largely due to anthropogenic pollution.
Although it is not recommended to feed wild animals, this feeding program is required if we are to reduce manatee mortality.
“It’s critical that we help manatees in the short term with actions that are consistent with long-term health,” said Shannon Estenoz, assistant secretary for fish and wildlife and parks at the US Department of the Interior. their length and resilience”. speak in a statement.
Their plan for the feeding program was to feed the starving manatees as they congregated at these warm water wintering spots. The feed will consist of lettuce, cabbage and other greens, which will be delivered to manatees in a controlled manner.
You can also help save the lives of manatees. Our partners, the Center for Biological Diversity, are working tirelessly to force the state of Florida to protect these wondrous animals. Please support their work.
Sadly, the situation could get worse for these mammals if we don’t act now. Sign the petition told Martha Williams, Principal Deputy Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to put manatees back on the endangered species list!
