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Florida Manatees Dying from the Cold

By Dr. Katie Tripp

The cold winter of 2010 has resulted in unprecedented numbers of cold-related manatee deaths in Florida. Through February 12th, there have been more than 300 confirmed deaths from all causes. Of these, 167 have been attributed to cold stress.

Another 116 deaths have been labeled as undetermined/unrecovered, and many of these were also likely caused by cold stress because of their location and timing. Based on a synoptic survey of 5,076 manatees counted in January 2010, this year's deaths represent a loss of 6% of the entire state's population in just the first 6 weeks of the year. These tragic numbers come on the heels of last year's record mortality.

Incredibly, in the last 14 months, at least 729 manatees are known to have died in state waters. We can only hope that 2010 does not bring red tide to our coasts or another record year for manatee boat strike deaths like we saw in 2009, as these events could result in hundreds more manatee deaths. Although cold-related deaths are considered a natural cause, the events of this winter highlight the vulnerability of our state's manatee population, and reinforce the importance of safeguarding winter habitat and minimizing human-related threats to this species.

When we hear countless news reports of hundreds of manatees dying from cold, we can feel powerless to help. However, there are a number of actions that everyone can take to help safeguard our state's iconic manatees.

If you live in Florida, contact your legislators and ask them not to cut funding for the manatee critical care treatment program, which is a part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) budget. This money helps Florida's three critical care facilities provide vitally needed emergency treatment for manatees injured by boats, entangled, orphaned, or suffering from cold stress or red tide toxicity. Without this funding, injured manatees would needlessly suffer and die. The staff at these critical care facilities, along with staff of the FWC and other groups, have been working tirelessly and selflessly to care for manatees during this winter's prolonged cold weather.

Florida's springs provide natural winter habitat for Florida's manatees. Reduced spring flows caused by increased human demand for water have decreased available habitat at some of our springs, while access to other springs has been reduced or eliminated by weirs or dams. One such spring is Silver Spring in Marion County, which is the largest of Florida's springs. Manatees have completely lost access to this spring due to the Kirpatrick (Rodman) dam.

Restoration of the Ocklawaha River and removal of the dam would restore manatee access to Silver Spring. Unfortunately, this restoration would be delayed at least another 50 years if the Jim King State Reserve bill passes during the spring session of the Florida Legislature. If we are going to safeguard manatees in the long-term, we need to protect and enhance their natural warm-water habitat. Floridians, ask your legislators to support the Florida Springs Protection Act this session (SB568) and vote against the Jim King State Reserve bill (SB466/HB695).

If you live in Florida, or plan to visit the state, look for ways to decrease water use to protect water resources. Every drop of groundwater or surface water we use is a drop we take away from the manatees' home. The area hardest hit by this winter's cold weather was the Everglades. Historically, warm groundwater would exit the aquifer through seeps and small springs and provide a refuge to manatees in the Everglades during winter months. However, extensive development and canal dredging have altered the flow of water over the last 100 years, decreasing the availability of these seeps and springs and leaving manatees at risk.

If you boat on Florida's waterways, either as a resident or a visitor, always be on the lookout for manatees. Careful boaters can prevent manatee injuries and deaths caused by watercraft. If you see an injured or dead manatee, please immediately contact FWC's 24-hour hotline at 1-888-404-3922. Manatees simply cannot afford another year of record watercraft deaths. Manatees and Florida's environment need your support and your voice. These simple actions can make a life-saving difference for Florida's endangered manatees.

Dr. Tripp has been Save the Manatee Club's Director of Science and Conservation since May of 2008. She received her Ph.D. in Veterinary Medical Sciences from the University of Florida, where she conducted research on manatee physiology. Save the Manatee Club was established in 1981 by singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett and former U.S.

For more information about manatees including Save the Manatee Club's Adopt-A-Manatee® program, visit the website at www.savethemanatee.org.