Manatee count is fourth-highest since 1991

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Biologists conducting an annual state manatee survey recently counted more than 2,500 manatees, the fourth-highest manatee count since 1991, according to preliminary statistics cited in a story today in the Tampa Tribune.

Biologists working for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Florida Marine Research Institute counted 2,568 manatees between the gulf coast and east coast on Feb. 20, roughly 500 fewer than last year, the story said preliminary statistics show.

In 2003, biologists counted 3,113 manatees, officials said in the story.

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