Over 6200 manatees counted in Florida waters

Biologists found over 6200 manatees during their annual manatee count – that’s a new record.

A total of 6250 manatees were found in waters around the state – that’s about 200 more than the year before.

A team of 16 observers from 11 organizations counted 3292 manatees on Florida’s East Coast and 2958 on the West Coast of the state.

Researchers say the weather was perfect for the count as recent cold weather forced the manatee to gather in warm-water sites making them easier to count.

The synoptic survey is used to count as many manatees as possible – it’s been done since 1991.

This year’s results do not mean that the manatee population grew by 200 animals in a single year; they do tell researchers there are at least 6,200 manatees in Florida waters.

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