A succession of intense winter freezes has triggered a sharp increase in manatee mortality across Southwest Florida.
Preliminary data published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory reveals that 176 manatee deaths were recorded in the region during the opening months of 2026—a sharp elevation compared to identical timeframes in previous years.
Biologists have pinpointed cold stress syndrome as the primary driver behind this spike. The condition sets in when environmental water temperatures hover below 68°F for prolonged durations…