Deal reached on Florida manatee habitat protections
The agreement, announced Wednesday, requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to undertake long-discussed revisions of “critical habitat” for Florida manatees by Sept. 12, 2024.
The agreement, announced Wednesday, requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to undertake long-discussed revisions of “critical habitat” for Florida manatees by Sept. 12, 2024.
Boston Celtics co-owner donates $2M to protect Florida manatees
A co-owner of the Boston Celtics is donating $2 million toward protecting the Florida manatees and their habitat following two seasons of record-breaking manatee mortalities in the state.
A co-owner of the Boston Celtics is donating $2 million toward protecting the Florida manatees and their habitat following two seasons of record-breaking manatee mortalities in the state.
Groups sue EPA over water quality, 'catastrophic' manatee deaths in Florida
The number of manatee deaths in Florida leaped to 1,101 last year, after averaging 625 the prior five years. The state had already recorded 537 deaths through April 29 this year.
The number of manatee deaths in Florida leaped to 1,101 last year, after averaging 625 the prior five years. The state had already recorded 537 deaths through April 29 this year.
Florida wildlife officials make manatee preparations for next winter
After providing more than 200,000 pounds of lettuce to starving manatees because of depleted seagrass beds in state waters, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Executive Director Eric Sutton said Tuesday efforts are already underway to prepare for next winter.
After providing more than 200,000 pounds of lettuce to starving manatees because of depleted seagrass beds in state waters, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Executive Director Eric Sutton said Tuesday efforts are already underway to prepare for next winter.
Manatee feeding efforts could resume next winter
State and federal wildlife officials anticipate they might again have to provide lettuce to manatees gathering in Florida waters next winter. However, as manatees continue dying at a higher-than-normal pace, officials hope to stop the unique trial feeding program before it becomes a long-term solution or the sea cows become dependent on it.
State and federal wildlife officials anticipate they might again have to provide lettuce to manatees gathering in Florida waters next winter. However, as manatees continue dying at a higher-than-normal pace, officials hope to stop the unique trial feeding program before it becomes a long-term solution or the sea cows become dependent on it.
Florida commissioner suggests killing manatees might help save the marine species
A commissioner in Brevard County is facing intense criticism after he suggested allowing people to kill manatees as a way to control their population.
A commissioner in Brevard County is facing intense criticism after he suggested allowing people to kill manatees as a way to control their population.
Florida commissioner suggests killing manatees might save them
Brevard County Commissioner suggested recently that killing manatees -- similar to how some states allow hunting of bears and deer to control populations -- may help save the species. Others are heavily criticizing that proposal.
Brevard County Commissioner suggested recently that killing manatees -- similar to how some states allow hunting of bears and deer to control populations -- may help save the species. Others are heavily criticizing that proposal.
Tama manatee death: Volunteers clean up Blue Springs park after manatee's 'preventable' death
Volunteers were recently at Blue Springs State Park, north of Orlando, helping to clean up debris and trash to help protect the manatees.
Volunteers were recently at Blue Springs State Park, north of Orlando, helping to clean up debris and trash to help protect the manatees.
Manatee Appreciation Day brings awareness to Floridians following record number of sea cow deaths
Every March, there is a day to not only appreciate the cute snoots of Florida's beloved sea cows but also to learn about conservation efforts to help the manatee species.
Every March, there is a day to not only appreciate the cute snoots of Florida's beloved sea cows but also to learn about conservation efforts to help the manatee species.
Experts say boaters need to watch for manatees
Manatee experts are pointing to concerns about boating collisions as the struggling sea cows migrate from an unorthodox feeding area in the Indian River Lagoon.
Manatee experts are pointing to concerns about boating collisions as the struggling sea cows migrate from an unorthodox feeding area in the Indian River Lagoon.
After 4 months and 160,000 pounds of lettuce, Florida plans to wind down manatee feeding program
A pilot feeding program designed to reduce starvation issues amongst Florida manatees will soon conclude as experts say warmer waters are helping to disperse the population to their summer habitats, lessening the strain on natural resources.
A pilot feeding program designed to reduce starvation issues amongst Florida manatees will soon conclude as experts say warmer waters are helping to disperse the population to their summer habitats, lessening the strain on natural resources.
Officials: Florida manatees eat ‘every scrap’ in food trial
One thing wildlife officials have learned during the winter experimental feeding program to help manatees avoid starvation is that if you feed them, they will come.
One thing wildlife officials have learned during the winter experimental feeding program to help manatees avoid starvation is that if you feed them, they will come.
Florida wildlife officials think feeding helps manatees
State wildlife experts say they think efforts to feed lettuce to starving manatees in the Indian River Lagoon are showing signs of providing relief after a record number of deaths last year of the sea cows.
State wildlife experts say they think efforts to feed lettuce to starving manatees in the Indian River Lagoon are showing signs of providing relief after a record number of deaths last year of the sea cows.
More than 80 starving manatees in rehab across US: officials
There are an estimated 8,800 or so manatees in Florida waters.
There are an estimated 8,800 or so manatees in Florida waters.
Florida's lettuce test project has fed manatees 25 tons of lettuce, officials say
The unprecedented human effort to feed starving Florida manatees has so far provided the lovable marine mammals with more than 25 tons of lettuce, officials announced. Last year, a record 1,101 manatee deaths were recorded, largely from starvation.
The unprecedented human effort to feed starving Florida manatees has so far provided the lovable marine mammals with more than 25 tons of lettuce, officials announced. Last year, a record 1,101 manatee deaths were recorded, largely from starvation.
Manatee dies after getting stuck in stormwater ditch in New Smyrna Beach
Florida Fish and Wildlife and SeaWorld have been notified, according to the man who took the photos.
Florida Fish and Wildlife and SeaWorld have been notified, according to the man who took the photos.
Colder temperatures keeping manatees away from where the food is, environmentalist says
Manatees typically gather toward warmer water, but with temperatures in the 50s across Central Florida, environmentalists say they are staying far away from where the food is and as a result, starving.
Manatees typically gather toward warmer water, but with temperatures in the 50s across Central Florida, environmentalists say they are staying far away from where the food is and as a result, starving.
Orange City Blue Spring Manatee Festival draws crowds from across the country
Orange City is home to Blue Spring State Park, which is famous for the throngs of manatees that flock there each winter for its warm waters. People come from around the country to see them.
Orange City is home to Blue Spring State Park, which is famous for the throngs of manatees that flock there each winter for its warm waters. People come from around the country to see them.
Record number of manatees gather at Blue Spring State Park to stay warm
Blue Spring State Park in Volusia County counted 663 manatees on Tuesday trying to stay warm.
Blue Spring State Park in Volusia County counted 663 manatees on Tuesday trying to stay warm.
Manatees gather at Blue Spring State Park to stay warm during big chill
The Blue Spring website says the animals cannot tolerate water temperatures below 68-degrees for too long, so coming to the warmer water is really life or death for them.
The Blue Spring website says the animals cannot tolerate water temperatures below 68-degrees for too long, so coming to the warmer water is really life or death for them.