Florida’s Manatees

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To see Jimmy Buffett’s best legacy, look at Florida’s manatees

Buffett mentioned manatees in a song, and it led to him co-founding the Save the Manatee Club

https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/09/07/to-see-jimmy-buffetts-best-legacy-look-at-floridas-manatees/?

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Lowest mortality rate for manatees since 2017, FWC reports

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) held a news conference with Governor Ron DeSantis to discuss the manatee population in Florida.

https://cbs12.com/amp/news/local/manatees-governor-ron-desantis-roger-young-blue-spring-state-park-lowest-mortality-rate-for-manatees-since-2017-fwc-reports-florida-fish-and-wildlife-conservation-commission-february-19-2024

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Manatees

Decades ago, the water in Florida's Indian River Lagoon was crystal clear. Now, it’s dark and murky. Pollutants from water treatment plants and septic tanks on the edge of the lagoon have slowly leaked nitrogen and phosphorus into the water, one expert said. The pollutants have fueled algae growth in the water, which destroys sea grass — the main source of food for the state's beloved manatees. These gentle sea cows need to eat up to 100 pounds of vegetation a day, which is why between December 2020 and April 2022, more than 1,200 manatees starved to death, mostly in the northern part of the lagoon. “They suffered immensely and for a very long time,” Katrina Shadix, executive director of Bear Warriors United, said. “When a manatee starves to death, it’s an extremely painful process.” Now, local environmentalists are trying to save the manatees from going extinct.

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Manatee in care at Florida state park drowned as pool drained, report finds

TAMPA — A 1,000-pound female manatee that was recovering at a Florida state park from a boat strike drowned earlier this year after employees left her unattended and she became trapped, according to a federal inspection report.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/05/13/manatee-in-care-at-florida-state-park-drowned-as-pool-drained-report-finds-2/?

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Editorial: Why is the state fighting its mandate to protect manatees?

Earlier this year, the state of Florida showed up in court, demanding an acknowledgment that it has no duty under federal law to defend manatees. And now state environmental officials are on their way to appeals court, repeating that request in increasingly urgent tones.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/13/editorial-why-is-the-state-fighting-its-mandate-to-protect-manatees/?

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Manatees return early to Blue Spring in record numbers

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – November is Manatee Awareness Month, highlighting a time when Florida’s manatees are starting their seasonal movements to warmer waters around the state.

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/11/13/manatees-return-early-to-blue-spring-in-record-numbers/

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A 410-pound manatee rescued from a Florida storm drain is recovering at SeaWorld Orlando

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A manatee that got stuck in a Florida storm drain while seeking warmer waters is on the mend at SeaWorld Orlando after a coordinated rescue effort.

https://apnews.com/article/manatee-rescue-storm-drain-florida-seaworld-a387726c832a768af5404bd0a8caa286?