Historical research indicates that Florida’s manatees are actually relatively recent arrivals

Manatee Eating Lettuce — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Mary-Kaitlyn Arnette Researchers have discovered that manatees, who have long been regarded as some of Florida’s most adored and captivating residents, are not native to the Sunshine State and arrived just like any other visitor in quest of the warm temperatures and crystal-clear seas. Scientists from George Washington

In Florida, more baby manatees are being discovered dead more than ever before

Manatees — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: Lukasz Machowczyk Manatee deaths in Florida were at an all-time high three years ago. Their babies are also dying now. As of August 23, about 130 manatee calves had been discovered deceased in Florida this year. That is higher than any previous full year in state records going

Manatees in Florida have an addiction to power plants. Researchers are easing them off

Manatees — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: Lukasz Machowczyk Manatees in Florida were driven from warm springs to power plants by pollution. Their new built homes are disappearing as the state moves toward renewable energy. On the Gulf Coast of the state, close to Apollo Beach, the huge, gray, barnacled Florida manatees idly float close

Amidst an ongoing mortality crisis, about 1,000 manatees gathered at a record-breaking number at a Florida state park

Manatees Close-Up Portrait – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Andrea Izzotti Manatees in Florida have been fighting for their lives for the past few years, but a few days ago, the species provided a piece of more positive news from one state park. A few dozen miles north of Orlando, in Blue Springs State Park,

Celtics co-owner donates $2 million in an effort to protect Florida manatees

Manatees Swimming – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Thierry Eidenweil A co-owner of the Boston Celtics is donating a whopping $2 million toward protecting Florida’s manatees and their habitats following two devastating seasons of record-breaking manatee mortalities throughout the state. The Fox Rock Foundation will give $1 million each to the nonprofits Fish & Wildlife

According to officials, Florida’s lettuce test project has fed 25 tons of lettuce to manatees

Manatee Eating Lettuce — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Mary-Kaitlyn Arnette The unprecedented human effort to save starving Florida manatees has so far provided the adorable marine mammals with over 25 tons of lettuce, officials said Wednesday. The round-tailed, snout-nosed animals that are popular with tourists and locals have suffered a major die-off. Their preferred seagrass food

Florida manatees are starving while wildlife organizations are scrambling to save them

Manatees — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: Lukasz Machowczyk In Florida, an ecological issue has led to the deaths of over 1,000 manatees. The slow-moving marine mammals graze on seagrass in shallow coastal areas, but a massive die-off of seagrass has left them with barely any food to eat.  The lack of food is most

Florida manatees dying in ‘unprecedented’ numbers, surpassing state’s annual record

Manatee Close-Up Portrait – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Andrea Izzotti So far, 2021 has been marked as the deadliest year for manatees in Florida’s recorded history. At least 841 manatees have died in Florida waters so far.  According to data collected from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), nearly 53 percent of

Overview of ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ a Florida migrant detention facility in operation

Alligator Alcatraz – Aerial View of Florida Everglades at Sunset Hour – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by ocudrone Because of its closeness to the top predators, Florida officials are renaming an Everglades airfield “Alligator Alcatraz” and converting it into a migrant detention facility. In a video posted on X last week, Florida Attorney General James

Florida is home to three of the best small towns in the South

Surf Hotspot: Cocoa Beach, Florida Pier – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by lunamarina Three Florida villages are charming and among the best in the South, a new survey shows. Results released April 9 listed the towns as smaller sites for “relaxing getaways, cultural immersion, outdoor adventures, and culinary delights” for vacationers. The ranked locations are: