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Startling statistics: Floridaโs record-breaking manatee deaths โa very sad wake-up callโ
Though itโs only July, the total number of Florida manatee deaths in 2021 has already reached a higher total than it did in all of 2020, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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Florida wildlife officials see manatees dying at an alarming rate
Manatees are having a difficult time in Florida. So far, 819 manatee fatalities have been recorded by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission through June 25. For perspective, that is 182 more manatee deaths than the total recorded in 2020.
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5 rehabilitated manatees released from Jacksonville Zoo
This photo shows two of the five rehabilitated manatees that were released last week from Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Five rehabilitated manatees were released last week from Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens -- the largest releases of manatees from the zoo in its history. Orphaned manatees need to be large enough before they can return to the wild, so Amelia and Irma went to the Jacksonville Zoo in February 2020 to continue their development. AdโReleasing these animals not only marks the successful rehabilitation of five more manatees, it also frees up critical space so additional manatees can be treated at our Zoo,โ said Craig Miller, curator of mammals at the Jacksonville Zoo. The manatee rescue and rehabilitation program has cared for 27 manatees and released 21 since the center opened in 2017.
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Wildlife officials predict healthy number of manatees this summer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ While there currently isnโt a high number of manatees in Jacksonville, there will be in April as the waters warm up. The manatee population is on the rise, and wildlife officials predict there will be a healthy number this summer. In 2017, the Florida manatee was reclassified from an endangered to a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act. While the population is doing well right now, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a record number of manatees were killed last year by Florida boaters. For information on the Florida manatee and conservation efforts, click here.