Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute said 429 manatees died in state waters in 2009. That is a record number of deaths. The average is 360 deaths; last year there were 337.
Researchers say a combination of factors contributed to the high total, including cold stress and run ins with boats. Biologists documented a record high of 56 cold stress-related deaths in 2009, which is more than double the five-year average. Biologists also documented high numbers of watercraft-related and newborn deaths - the two most commonly documented causes of death in 2009. Biologists documented 97 watercraft-related deaths and 114 newborn deaths. The preliminary data indicate the numbers for both categories were at a record high for a calendar year.
This time of year most manatees are in south Florida waters where its warmer – they spread out into North Florida waters in the spring when temperatures rise. Anyone who sees a dead or distressed manatee should report it on the state’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
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