Florida officials: Starvation threat not over for manatees

Fewer manatee deaths have been recorded so far this year in Florida compared to the record-setting numbers in 2021, but wildlife officials cautioned that chronic starvation remains an ongoing threat.

Wildlife officials hope to double rescue, rehabilitation capacity for manatees before winter return

After a record number of manatee deaths mostly linked to malnutrition, state and federal wildlife officials hope to double rescue and rehabilitation capacity before the sea cows again congregate in warm waters during the winter.

Florida wildlife rescuers release same manatee for a third time

Florida wildlife officials have released a manatee back into the wild after he had to be rescued for the third time.

Florida plans for future feeding efforts to help save struggling manatees

Florida officials are planning to take additional actions, which could include a second manatee supplemental feeding program later this year if natural seagrass growth cannot fulfill the needs of the endangered animals.

$30 million of Florida state budget will be used to help manatees, governor says

Millions of dollars from Florida's state budget will be funneled into projects to protect manatees and their habitats as their population faces high death rates.

Florida manatee feeding plan ends, but starvation still an issue

The unprecedented, experimental program to feed starving manatees in Florida is ending, but the greater issue is the polluted water that causes the marine mammals to run out of their natural seagrass forage.

Wildlife officials to stop manatee temporary feeding program as warm weather moves in

FWC said workers dropped more than 201,000 pounds of mixed produce in the water since January 20 when manatees began feeding. It cost more than $105,000 for the produce.

Experts say boaters need to watch for manatees

Manatee experts are pointing to concerns about boating collisions as the struggling sea cows migrate from an unorthodox feeding area in the Indian River Lagoon.

After 4 months and 160,000 pounds of lettuce, Florida plans to wind down manatee feeding program

A pilot feeding program designed to reduce starvation issues amongst Florida manatees will soon conclude as experts say warmer waters are helping to disperse the population to their summer habitats, lessening the strain on natural resources.

TECO looking to add observation dock at Manatee Viewing Center

A proposed expansion at TECO’s Manatee Viewing Center may bring more people up close to Florida’s manatees. 

Florida manatee feeding program to wind down as temperatures warm

The experimental program that has fed tons of lettuce to starving manatees in Florida will begin to wind down as the weather warms. The feeding program has provided more than 128,000 pounds of food to the slow-moving sea cows. It is an effort to prevent another die-off like Florida saw last year.

Florida's lettuce test project has fed manatees 25 tons of lettuce, officials say

The unprecedented human effort to feed starving Florida manatees has so far provided the lovable marine mammals with more than 25 tons of lettuce, officials announced. Last year, a record 1,101 manatee deaths were recorded, largely from starvation.

Proposed law would let developers destroy seagrass, pay to have it planted elsewhere

Florida lawmakers are considering a bill that would let builders destroy sea grass and pay to have it planted elsewhere. Those who know Florida's waterways say that's a bad idea.

Manatees seek warmer waters as Bay Area experiences coolest temperatures of season

Cold fronts in Florida can be stressful for manatees, which is why they head to places around the state like natural springs or TECO's Manatee Viewing Center where the water is a constant 72 degrees.

Four young manatees flown from Florida to Ohio for treatment

SeaWorld Orlando transferred four manatee calves to an Ohio aquarium for rehabilitation, freeing space to treat more of the threatened sea mammals that have been dying in Florida at an alarming rate.

Manatee feeding experiment starts slowly as cold looms

An 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.