Mother manatee and calf swimming
Trade Only Today
Florida statistics state that manatee deaths have been mainly caused by boats this year. In 2018, there were 124 fatal encounters between the mammals and boats - this years total is close behind at 120.
Natural causes claimed 230 manatees last year as the leading cause of death.
Previous years have not been kind to the sea cows. Overall, they fared better through mid-November this year with 465 dying from all causes by November 22, compared to 760 manatee deaths by the same date in 2018 and 483 fatalities by that date in 2017.
A record 830 manatees died in 2013 and in 2018, 824 died, which was the second most on record.
Boating advocates have pointed out that manatee deaths are increasing in relation with the growth of the species’ population. Brevard and Lee counties tend to have the most manatee deaths because they have larger populations of the animal. Lee County’s 24 boat-related manatee deaths were the most in Florida, followed by Brevard’s 13 watercraft-related deaths. Volusia County ranks third with 12.
In 2017, Florida had a record population of 6,620 manatees. As a result, the federal government reclassified the mammal from endangered to threatened. During the annual winter survey, state officials counted 5,733 manatees in 2019.
Original article published here.