Florida manatees will be fed lettuce again this winter, 'no entry' zones created in Brevard waters

Florida manatees will be fed lettuce again this winter, 'no entry' zones created in Brevard waters

State wildlife officials Wednesday approved a seasonal no-entry zone in an area of Brevard County waters where manatees gather, while preparing for a second winter of feeding the sea cows to try to prevent deaths.

State wildlife officials Wednesday approved a seasonal no-entry zone in an area of Brevard County waters where manatees gather, while preparing for a second winter of feeding the sea cows to try to prevent deaths.

Florida to help slow manatee starvation rates with lettuce feeding program

Florida to help slow manatee starvation rates with lettuce feeding program

Lettuce will be on the menu again this year for Florida manatees as part of an effort to slow the starvation deaths of the beloved marine mammals, wildlife officials said Wednesday.

Lettuce will be on the menu again this year for Florida manatees as part of an effort to slow the starvation deaths of the beloved marine mammals, wildlife officials said Wednesday.

Video shows manatee chasing alligator at Florida park

Video shows manatee chasing alligator at Florida park

Dennis Osha was at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota on Saturday when he spotted the playful chase.

Dennis Osha was at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota on Saturday when he spotted the playful chase.

Deal reached on Florida manatee habitat protections

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

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

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

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

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 save them
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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.

Experts say boaters need to watch for manatees

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

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

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

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.

Florida's lettuce test project has fed manatees 25 tons of lettuce, officials say

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.