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U.S. Manatee Deaths Hit Record Levels in 2010

:(

In concluding the International Year of Biodiversity, the good news is that manatees are still with us, the bad news is that manatee deaths in U.S. waters continue to climb. In 2009, there were 429 reported manatee deaths, which was about double the number from 2008.  As of December 2010, however, manatee deaths totaled 699.

Of the several factors that can cause manatee deaths, the most common one is human-caused: boat collisions. According to the Florida State Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), 97 of 2010′s manatee death were due to boats or other water craft. That number seems consistent from year to year.

However, another death-factor has entered the survival game and is out-pacing boat strike deaths; a growing number  of manatee deaths are the result of hypothermia – manatees experiencing “cold stress” resulting from entry into/contact with much colder waters. The FWS estimates that 244 of last year’s manatee deaths (nearly one third) were due to exposure to cold water.

What happens to manatees when the weather is too cold? BAD STUFF: Manatees are particularly sensitive to cold. When the temperature drops below 68 degrees, they seek refuge in the warmer water flowing from springs and power plant outfalls. Normally, it’s a slow death. Their skin develops lesions, their metabolism slows and they stop eating. Generally they succumb to secondary infections. :( From St. Petersburg Times in an article about a manatee who was rescued from chilly waters.

What happens to manatees when the weather is too cold? BAD STUFF:

Manatees are particularly sensitive to cold. When the temperature drops below 68 degrees, they seek refuge in the warmer water flowing from springs and power plant outfalls. Normally, it’s a slow death. Their skin develops lesions, their metabolism slows and they stop eating. Generally they succumb to secondary infections.

:( From St. Petersburg Times in an article about a manatee who was rescued from chilly waters.

This week SeaWorld released a 630-pound manatee back into the wild after it recovered from watercraft-related injuries. Dear boats: Stop hitting blorp-ilicious manatees! …If only their blorpiness didn’t make them so easy to hit. View high resolution

This week SeaWorld released a 630-pound manatee back into the wild after it recovered from watercraft-related injuries.

Dear boats: Stop hitting blorp-ilicious manatees! …If only their blorpiness didn’t make them so easy to hit.

Amorous manatees get stuck in Miami canal

Officials lured the female manatee out of the canal by dragging a rope near her. The male manatees quickly swam after her.

Note to self: Never get in the way of a group of male manatees quickly swimming towards a female manatee.

Five-year-old manatee Clarice was just released back into the wild after recovering from cold stress at SeaWorld. YOU SHALL PADDLE FREELY, CLARICE. View high resolution

Five-year-old manatee Clarice was just released back into the wild after recovering from cold stress at SeaWorld. YOU SHALL PADDLE FREELY, CLARICE.

Cold-Stressed Manatee Rescued From Chilly Canal This lil’ manatee plop is recovering at SeaWorld!

Cold-Stressed Manatee Rescued From Chilly Canal

This lil’ manatee plop is recovering at SeaWorld!

Manatee face close-up! (Along with someone’s knees.) This manatee is one of three that was just released back into the wild by the Miami Seaquarium. Photograph by Allen Eyestone from The Palm Beach Post. View high resolution

Manatee face close-up! (Along with someone’s knees.)

This manatee is one of three that was just released back into the wild by the Miami Seaquarium. Photograph by Allen Eyestone from The Palm Beach Post.

Lookit those flippers! Teehee. One of dozens of manatees that got saved after being trapped in a canal in Florida. View high resolution

Lookit those flippers! Teehee. One of dozens of manatees that got saved after being trapped in a canal in Florida.

Sea World Rescues Cold Manatee

With video of the manatee being rehabilitated.

Manatees just wanna be warm, yo. Amid Florida’s record low cold temperatures, they’re gathering in the heated water from the Florida Power & Light Power Plant. Photograph from CritterClub. View high resolution

Manatees just wanna be warm, yo. Amid Florida’s record low cold temperatures, they’re gathering in the heated water from the Florida Power & Light Power Plant. Photograph from CritterClub.