Manatee death rate soaring in Florida
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More manatees have died in 2021 than at any time in Florida’s known history, says the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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Florida manatee (trichechus manatus latirostris), subspecies of West Indian manatee – docile herbivore also known as sea cow
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Florida
U.S.

Indian River Lagoon
Orlando
Cape Canaveral
FLORIDA
Port Saint Lucie
30km 19 miles

U.S.
Range of West Indian manatee
BRAZIL
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MORTALITY RATE (Jan 1-Jul 2 in each year) 

2021 841 11% of population
2020 354 
2019 319
2018 441 
2017 337 
2016 313
5 year average 352
 
Manatee will consume 10% of its body weight in seagrass per day, about 45kg

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Man-made pollution: Staple diet of seagrass is dying as sunlight is shaded out by toxic algae blooms caused by increasing water pollution due to neglected septic tanks, raw sewage, and fertiliser run-off

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Sources: CNN, Gizmodo, FWC Pictures: Associated Press, Apple Maps, FWC © GRAPHIC NEWS