2021 Brings a Surge of Manatee Deaths Throughout Tampa Bay and Other Florida Waterways

Although not back on the endangered species list, manatees have always been one of the aquatic animals that boaters are encouraged to look out for, but this year especially, the deaths of these creatures are happening at an alarming rate, and not all of these have occurred due to boating carelessness.

Environmental changes are causing these creatures to lose their lives at over three times the normal rate, this year alone.

These deaths have been surprising to officials, so much so that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has declared this wave of mortalities an Unusual Mortality Event, also known as a UME, and has become a government involved issue.

Unusual Mortality Events are declared when there is a significant and unexpected incline in the deaths of a certain population of marine mammals.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has found that over 540 manatees have died already this year, only three months into 2021. This year could mark the deadliest year in the past decade for the species if these numbers continue to rise.

The FWC and NOAA are continuing to investigate the causes of these manatee deaths, but what they do know is that many of them have occurred due to a decrease in seagrass and macro-algae, which are two key components of manatees’ diets.

This decline in seagrass has been caused by a lack of sunlight, which stems from algae blooms that form from pollution and temperature changes in the waterways.

Throughout the entire state of Florida, there are only four manatee hospitals, Zoo Tampa being one of them. Yet, as the number of sick and injured manatees continues to rise, the hospital has found itself at nearly 95% capacity.

Wildlife officials ask that you call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert number if you see an injured, sick, or deceased manatee. Officials can be reached at 1–888–404-FWCC (1–888–404–3922).