As manatee deaths rise, experts urge caution in summer months

More than 30 manatees have died this year from collision-related injuries, underscoring concern among experts as the annual death toll in recent years has continued to rise.

Why it matters: That number is likely to grow, as the warmer summer months bring more boaters to the shallow coastal areas and rivers that sea cows inhabit, the New York Times reported.

State of play: Between Jan. 1 and April 3, 251 manatees died, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. About 13% of those were from watercraft collisions.

• Last year, collisions accounted for 25% of Florida's 632 manatee deaths. Other factors included colder temperatures and a red tide bloom.
• The more than 600 deaths exceeded the previous two years, which saw 555 and 565 manatee deaths in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

The intrigue: Just three deaths have occurred in Miami-Dade this year. One was caused by a water collision, per FWC.

The big picture: Manatees are vital to Florida's ecosystem, as they graze on native and invasive plants and keep the waterways clear.

• But as the state's population continues to increase, manatee experts told the Times that "sharing the habitat has become a growing problem, or at least a topic that requires increased attention."

Zoom in: Cold temperatures are the leading cause of death so far this year, resulting in 39 manatees dying, the FWC reported.

• Other causes included watercraft collisions (33), perinatal (19) and natural causes (19). Fifteen were undetermined. Another 115 didn't undergo a post-mortem examination.

Zoom out: Ahead of the warmer months, experts are cautioning boaters to take precautions like observing slow and no-wake zones and avoiding areas with seagrass, like canals and springs, the Times reported.

• Polarized sunglasses can also help drivers spot underwater manatees.

The bottom line: Manatees are the state's unofficial mascot, and it's up to us to keep them safe.