Florida Manatees Still Dying Off at a Concerning Rate, Experts Caution
The Florida manatee population has seen a steady decline in numbers over the last two decades. According to experts, conservationist efforts have not been able to keep up with the unsettling rate at which these endangered marine mammals are disappearing.
Causes of Decline
Experts cite the following factors for the declining population:
- Boat Collisions: Manatees face an increased risk of deadly collisions with passing boats, resulting from their slow-moving speed and low visibility.
- Habitat Loss: As development along the Florida coast continues to grow, it is pushing manatees out of their traditional habitats and into areas with limited food sources.
- Disease Outbreaks: Disease outbreaks, such as red tide and the recently discovered CBSV virus, have caused dozens of deaths in the past few years.
- Climate Change: Warmer temperatures can lead to algal blooms, reduced water quality, and lead to an increase in diseases that can be fatal to manatees.
Conservation Efforts
In order to help protect and save the remaining manatee population, conservation efforts have focused on protecting their critical habitats and focusing on manatee-friendly boat designs. Additionally, experts urge people to follow boating rules and to refrain from feeding, harassing, or swimming with the manatees.
Conclusion
It is clear that the Florida manatee population is in continued decline and swift action needs to be taken in order to protect them. Conservation efforts are under way, and we can all play a role in helping to protect these endangered marine mammals. Florida Manatees’ Population Declining at a Worrying Rate, Scientists Warn
This past weekend, researchers in the Florida Everglades released a report cautioning that Florida manatee deaths are still occurring at a significant rate. According to the findings, the population of Florida manatees is slowly but surely declining despite increased efforts to protect the species.
The authors of the study, based on data collected by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, explain that overdose-related deaths, red tide poisoning, and collisions with motorboats continue to be the leading contributors to Florida manatees’ demise. Due to their slow reproductive cycle, experts believe it will take years for the population to recover from such losses.
The report also notes that, for the third year in a row, the number of new manatee calves is fewer compared to previous years. This could have major implications for the future of manatee diversity, experts worry.
In an effort to protect the species, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has imposed a series of restrictive measures for boaters, including a speed limit of 20 mph in certain areas and a requirement for boaters to have certain safety equipment on board. These measures, which were implemented last year, have proven to be successful in cutting down on fatal accidents.
Despite this progress, conservationists are now urging authorities to strictly enforce the newly implemented restrictions and to launch public campaigns to spread awareness of the endangered species.
With one-third of the population dead in the past twelve months, researchers are encouraging both the public and public officials to continue their efforts to preserve this unique aquatic mammal. It is only with the help of everyone that Florida manatees can be saved.