SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – New data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission show that as of Nov. 7, 587 manatee deaths have been documented in Florida this year.
Deaths this year have already surpassed totals from 2024 (495 deaths) and 2023 (494 deaths). The deadliest year for manatees in recent history was 2021, when 997 deaths were reported.
So far this year, 26 deaths were reported in Manatee County; 11 in Sarasota County…