Biologists worry they aren't out of cold yet
Jim Waymer Florida Today 29 Jan 11
Biologists spotted 4,840 manatees this month during their yearly statewide aerial sea cow survey, the second highest count on record.
But they still worry winter's chill could cut into the federally endangered species' numbers.
"That has definitely been a concern since December," said Martine de Wit, a veterinarian for the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg.
Biologists have recorded at least 81 manatees that have perished from ill effects of cold since December.
"Normally during this time of the year, we didn't have more than 10 cold stress animals," de Wit said. "All sizes of manatees were affected."
At least eight manatees were found dead in Brevard this month of cold-related illness. Another five were too decomposed to determine cause of death.
Acute hypothermia can kill sea cows in hours. Longer-term effects include potentially fatal immune suppression, which could linger into the spring breeding season. "It's a little bit too early to tell," de Wit said. "We're definitely keeping our eyes open."
A team of 20 observers from 11 organizations counted 2,438 manatees on Florida's East Coast and 2,402 on the West Coast during surveys Jan. 20 and 24.
State biologists have yet to break down the counts by county, and final numbers won't be available until late February, after biologists verify the survey results.
The count is topped by last year's record 5,076 manatees and comes in above the previous year's 3,802 manatees.
"Although weather conditions were not as cold as last year, we had excellent conditions leading up to and during this year's survey," Holly Edwards, a biologist with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said in a news release.
Manatees congregate in warm spots and may be easier to count in cold weather.
Researchers have been conducting the surveys since 1991, weather permitting, to meet a state requirement for an annual manatee census in Florida waters. They are considered minimum counts of the population.
