565 manatees were reported dead in Florida last year: Here's what we've learned
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute released its final manatee mortality numbers for 2024.
Last year, 565 of the sea cows were reported dead, with 100 in Brevard County alone.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
While not ideal, that number is lower than the 739 five-year average.
Below are the local numbers. Note that they are much lower due to manatee populations being larger in central and southern Florida:
Of the local deaths, two in Duval and two in St. Johns county were attributed to watercraft collisions.
Human-related causes were responsible for about 30% of the total number of deaths in Florida that had a determined cause. FWC says 2024 has the second-highest observed number of structure-related (water control structures and navigational locks) deaths, with 17 incidents total.
Of note is just how many calves didn't survive the year.
154 calves total died in 2024, far outpacing the previous high of 129 reported in 2013.
The FWC says this may not be as concerning as it initially appears. The research institute says it is a likely sign of increased birth, meaning more manatees are recovering and reproducing.
Read: Number of reported Florida manatee deaths declined in 2023, red tide and collisions remain threats
Over half of the calf deaths were reported in the Indian River Lagoon, which is currently the subject of a lawsuit against the state.
The environmental group. Bear Warriors United, alleges that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection violated the Endangered Species Act by reportedly allowing wastewater discharges into the lagoon.
The group says the pollution has contributed to the death of seagrass, which Manatees need to survive.
The lawsuit came after a record 1100 manatee deaths were reported in 2021, heavily concentrated in that area. The case is expected to go to trial.
According to preliminary data by the FWC, there have been three manatee deaths locally so far in 2025.
Two died in Putnam County, while another in Duval County died from cold stress last week.
Read: Doctors at Sea Turtle Hospital at UF Whitney Lab saw highest influx of sea turtles in January
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lutheran Services Florida steps aside from leading Head Start in Duval County amid federal rebid
Big changes are on the horizon for early childhood education in Duval County, as Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) will no longer lead the region's Head Start program. The federal Office of Head Start has notified LSF that it plans to begin negotiations with a different provider for the role. LSF has led the Duval County Head Start program for over a decade, serving between 1,000 and 1,400 children annually with early education, family support, and wraparound services. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Despite this long-standing presence, LSF officials said the decision to transition program leadership is not due to performance concerns. 'This decision has nothing to do with performance,' said Maria McNair, director of the LSF Head Start program. 'It's part of a standard federal rebid process designed to ensure continued program quality.' The rebid process, required periodically by the federal government, opens up leadership of Head Start programs to new applicants to ensure high standards are being met. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] While the name of the new provider has not yet been announced, the change is expected to impact the nearly 160 employees currently working under the LSF program. McNair says efforts are being made to help staff transition. 'We're trying to ensure that the majority of our employees transition over to the new organization,' she said. Despite losing the lead role for Head Start in Duval, LSF isn't leaving the area. The organization will continue offering Early Head Start services for children under age three, supported by a newly renewed five-year grant. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] 'We are still going to provide services here in Duval County for Early Head Start, which is for children who are under three. Our contract for the particular Grant was renewed for the next five years,' McNair confirmed. The Office of Head Start has not yet provided additional details or a timeline for when the transition to the new provider will begin. Requests for comment have not yet been returned. Action News Jax will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
Officials celebrate as grizzly bears are caught on camera using unique new bridge: 'It was pretty amazing to see firsthand'
KHOL 89.1FM reported that grizzly bears in Wyoming are exploring the new wildlife crossings near Wyoming Highway 22. WYDOT, Teton County, and the Wyoming Wildlife Natural Resources Trust funded the four new crossings in the area for wildlife navigation around the existing intersection construction. After a rancher spotted the bear using one, project engineer Mick Farrell captured a photo as it crossed the Snake River. Designated crossings can improve wildlife conservation for Wyoming's 122 mammal species by reducing unnecessary contact with people. Seeing a healthy grizzly bear safely using the crossing was good news after four fatalities in a month. KHOL 89.1FM reported that one cub was hit by a car, and two young bears may have been killed by an adult male grizzly. Another one was euthanized after dangerous behavior in Yellowstone. Grizzlies enable healthy biodiversity, so it's a good sign to see them roaming in their space. These apex predators keep nature in balance by hunting herbivores capable of overgrazing, which also reduces foraging and habitat space for pollinators. Typical grizzly activities like digging help aerate the soil, and they disperse blueberry and buffaloberry seeds in their feces. The brown large bear that can reach up to 700 pounds is listed as threatened by the Endangered Species Act. However, conservation acts like wildlife crossings and data from tracking collars placed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department can prevent them from moving up to endangered. Wildlife crossings in other areas have already shown success. The Banff Wildlife Crossings in Canada have reduced car collisions with wildlife by 80%. Bison in the UK are also getting some space — their roaming area will increase from 123 acres to 494 acres — from government-backed construction on the nation's first-ever bison bridge. Los Angeles is also taking action by building the world's largest wildlife crossing — measuring 210 feet long — over an eight-lane freeway. According to Smart Growth America, there are as many as one to two million collisions between cars and wildlife. Consequently, people can also get hurt, as 200 human fatalities, 26,000 injuries, and as much as $8 billion in property damage result from these specific accidents, per Pew Research. Safer and separate crossings are invaluable for all species, not just grizzlies. However, it's good that these legendary bears are leading the way. Farrell said, "It was pretty amazing to see firsthand the wildlife crossings working." Should the U.S. invest in building more wildlife overpasses? Absolutely Depends on how we do it Depends on where we do it Nope Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Historic Mayport Lighthouse in plans to be relocated
The Mayport Lighthouse Association (MLA) received an amount of $85,000 in grant money to explore moving the historic St. Johns River Lighthouse. Read: What is 'No Kings Day': 1,800 protests planned around U.S., over 70 in Florida, dozens in Georgia They received $75,000 from the Florida Lighthouse Association and $10,000 from the US Lighthouse Society. The lighthouse is placed on the Naval Station in Mayport. It's currently under dirt and can't be accessed by the public. The MLA wants to move it to the Mayport Village waterfront, where it can be restored and enjoyed by everyone. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< A team of experts will study how to move it safely. Local leaders, the Navy, and community groups all support the plan. The MLA hopes the lighthouse will become the centerpiece of other bigger projects, including parks and boat docks. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
