FWC staff rescue a manatee. Photo courtesy Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission / myfwc.com

Endangered
In 2009 Record Numbers of Manatees Died From the Cold. 2010 May be Worse

By Lee Molloy

Florida has been through record low temperatures in the past couple of weeks, forcing usually warm and tan Miamians to eschew short sleeves and shorter skirts in favor of hats and coats to stave off the bitter cold.

Although for most of the human population the cold snap has been an inconvenience, Florida’s wildlife and agriculture experienced real danger. And manatees, which are regarded as tropical marine mammals, and require a water temperature of higher than 68 degrees to stay healthy, have suffered.

Figures released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) last week show that in the winter months of 2008-2009 there was a record number of 56 manatee deaths due to ‘cold stress,’ which is more than double the five-year average. Although FWC Spokesperson, Carli Segelson told The Lead that “it is too early to tell” the extent of the problem this year, between Jan. 2 and12th, six cold stress-related deaths of manatees have already been reported, she says.

Cold stress is caused by exposure to lower water temperature for extended periods of time, resulting in the animal losing body heat and not properly digesting its food, which can ultimately lead to death. “It is actually a complex disease process, some of the more visible symptoms would be lesions around the tail and the flippers,” Segelson said. Furthermore “they are usually emaciated and in a state of malnutrition,” by the time officials can help.

Carol Knox is a biological administrator at the FWC and heads up the manatee program. Knox explained that during the colder months of November to March, manatees seek out warmer waters to survive.

“In the cold weather, they swim near power plants because the water is warmer there,” Knox told The Lead, which is why manatees can be seen in great numbers around the waters of the power plant in Fort Lauderdale. According to Knox, the animals learn over time where the warmer waters can be found. “The calf stays with the cow for two years, and is basically learning from its mother where to go to get food, and where to go in the cold,” she says.

Knox has some advice for boaters. “If you are out and about and come up on a group of manatees give them a wide berth,” she says. “They are trying to stay warm.”

Other Concerns

In 2009, the FWC carried out a synoptic survey to establish a minimum count of manatees in Florida state waters. The result, a snapshot rather than an accurate population count, was a little more than 3,800 animals. Last year, however, FWC biologists documented more than four hundred dead manatees in state waters.

“Consistently, about 22 to 25 percent of total [manatee] death is watercraft-related,” Knox told The Lead.

There are things that boaters can do. First, a boater should wear polarized sunglasses to better see the animals in the water, and should obey all the posted manatee speed zones. Law enforcement agencies, primarily those of the FWC, do enforce the speed zones and, just like on the highway, will write tickets for those caught speeding.

“When you slow boats down the boat operator has more time to see the animal,” Knox says. “And the slower speed means the injury [to the manatee] should be less.”

Negligent boating practices can also result in damaging the sea grass, which “is the food for all types of critters,” including manatee, says Knox.

“Boats go into areas that are too shallow,” Knox explains, causing ‘propeller scars’ that result from the excavation of sea grass plants when struck by the propeller or steering structure of a watercraft. This damage, under good conditions, can take up to seven years to recover, if it recovers at all.

What You Can Do

As well as following all the rules when out on the water, Segelson says that “if you see a dead or distressed manatee, call the FWC hotline” at 1-888-404-3922.

Florida boaters and non-boaters alike can help financially by purchasing a manatee license plate. The revenue raised goes directly to the manatee carcass salvage and rescue program, as well as other manatee conservation efforts

“The Florida manatee is a native species,” Segelson said. “We want to protect this animal and make sure it’s here for generations to come.”

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