PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — An alarming report reveals manatee deaths are on the rise in Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory has released a preliminary report detailing manatee mortality from January 1 to April 25, 2025. The report reveals a concerning increase in deaths, with 329 manatees recorded dead across Florida during this period.
The report attributes the deaths to various causes, including human-related activities, natural causes, and undetermined factors. A significant threat remains watercraft collisions, which accounted for 36 deaths. Additionally, four manatees died after becoming trapped in flood gates or canal locks, and another four deaths were linked to other human activities…