WEATHER ALERT
Groups to sue federal officials over manatee protection
Read full article: Groups to sue federal officials over manatee protectionSeveral conservation groups have announced that they’re planning to sue federal wildlife officials, citing a failure to protect the West Indian manatee following record death rates in recent years.
Dozens of Florida manatees in rehab amid ongoing starvation
Read full article: Dozens of Florida manatees in rehab amid ongoing starvationMore than six dozen threatened manatees are currently in rehabilitation centers in Florida and elsewhere amid a chronic starvation problem caused by water pollution.
US agrees to update critical habitat for Florida manatees
Read full article: US agrees to update critical habitat for Florida manateesU.S. wildlife officials have agreed to revise the critical habitat designation for Florida manatees, which have been dying in record numbers because water pollution is killing a main food source.
Florida wildlife officials say some manatee food growing
Read full article: Florida wildlife officials say some manatee food growingWildlife officials working to prevent Florida manatees from starving to death say they’re encouraged that some of the marine mammals’ favorite food is growing naturally in a key area.
Manatee feeding experiment starts slowly as cold looms
Read full article: Manatee feeding experiment starts slowly as cold loomsAn unprecedented, experimental attempt to feed manatees facing starvation in Florida has started slowly but wildlife officials expressed optimism it will work as cold weather drives the marine mammals toward warmer waters.
Conservation groups to sue EPA over manatee deaths
Read full article: Conservation groups to sue EPA over manatee deathsThree conservation groups have filed formal notice of their intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency if it doesn't take steps to protect manatees from water pollution in Florida.
Startling statistics: Florida’s record-breaking manatee deaths ‘a very sad wake-up call’
Read full article: Startling statistics: Florida’s record-breaking manatee deaths ‘a very sad wake-up call’Though it’s only July, the total number of Florida manatee deaths in 2021 has already reached a higher total than it did in all of 2020, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Florida wildlife officials see manatees dying at an alarming rate
Read full article: Florida wildlife officials see manatees dying at an alarming rateManatees are having a difficult time in Florida. So far, 819 manatee fatalities have been recorded by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission through June 25. For perspective, that is 182 more manatee deaths than the total recorded in 2020.
5 rehabilitated manatees released from Jacksonville Zoo
Read full article: 5 rehabilitated manatees released from Jacksonville ZooThis photo shows two of the five rehabilitated manatees that were released last week from Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Five rehabilitated manatees were released last week from Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens -- the largest releases of manatees from the zoo in its history. Orphaned manatees need to be large enough before they can return to the wild, so Amelia and Irma went to the Jacksonville Zoo in February 2020 to continue their development. Ad“Releasing these animals not only marks the successful rehabilitation of five more manatees, it also frees up critical space so additional manatees can be treated at our Zoo,” said Craig Miller, curator of mammals at the Jacksonville Zoo. The manatee rescue and rehabilitation program has cared for 27 manatees and released 21 since the center opened in 2017.
Wildlife officials predict healthy number of manatees this summer
Read full article: Wildlife officials predict healthy number of manatees this summerJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – While there currently isn’t a high number of manatees in Jacksonville, there will be in April as the waters warm up. The manatee population is on the rise, and wildlife officials predict there will be a healthy number this summer. In 2017, the Florida manatee was reclassified from an endangered to a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act. While the population is doing well right now, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a record number of manatees were killed last year by Florida boaters. For information on the Florida manatee and conservation efforts, click here.