Florida manatee deaths this year outpacing 2024

The Brief

  • State statistics show 477 manatee deaths already this year, compared to 565 deaths in all of 2024.
  • A young manatee at ZooTampa is in critical condition, with broken ribs and a punctured lung, but the animal is doing better.
  • When on the water, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission if a hurt manatee is spotted.

TAMPA, Fla. Manatee deaths in Florida have reached 477 so far, which is outpacing last year’s total of 565 for the entire year.

What we know:

One of the leading causes of death for these “sea cows” is watercraft accidents.

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