Conservation experts working to save manatees as season begins in South Florida

By Taylor Hernandez

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    RIVIERA BEACH, Florida (WPBF) — As manatee season begins, conservation experts are still working to end the Unusual Mortality Event, or UME, among the species in South Florida.

Manatee Season in Florida begins Nov. 15 and continues through the month of March, as that is the time of year the animals migrate south for warmer waters. Manatees can’t survive in water below 68 degrees.

In 2021, 1,101 manatees died, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. As of Nov. 4, 734 manatees have died in 2022.

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“Manatees are facing a lot of challenges right now,” Rachel Shanker, the conservation liaison and educator at Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach said. “A really high number of manatees are dying due to loss of their major food source, which is sea grass. The other threats that persisted before this UME was declared still exist. Boating is still a major threat to manatees, as well as pollution, and they could also get caught in any discarded debris.”

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports 96 manatees have been rescued so far this year and there are 80 currently in rehabilitation.

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“We already have emaciated manatees that are coming into the rehab centers, as well as several animals that have been rescued from watercraft-related injuries around the state of Florida,” Terri Calleson with FWC said.

Calleson said the majority of injured manatees reported came from members of the community.

FWC leaders said they are working to expand rehabilitation capacity, supplement their seagrass food source with vegetables like romaine and restore manatee habitats.

“We’re still in an unusual mortality event,” Tom Reinert of FWC said. “We still expect some manatees to die because of the situation, but I think we are doing everything we can.”

Conservation experts with FWC and Manatee Lagoon want people to educate themselves about the animals, practice safe boating and obey speed limits on the water. Shanker also says wearing polarized sunglasses can help people spot the creatures so they can better avoid them while boating.

You can report an injured manatee to the FWC line 188-404-FWCC.

Click here to learn more about Manatee Lagoon or here to see the new underwater Manatee Lagoon live camera.

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