2021 becomes deadliest year for Florida manatees
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Manatee deaths in Florida this year have surpassed the previous record that was set in 2018. As of June 18, officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released an updated manatee mortality chart that listed 811 deaths for 2021. Fifty-nine of those deaths were caused by a boat strike, and 113 manatees passed from natural causes. 2018 was previously the deadliest year for manatees, registering 804 deaths. Of those deaths, 58 were caused by boat strikes and 105 died of natural causes. The United State’s Fish and Wildlife service classified this...