Fewer Florida manatee deaths in 2004?
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – For the 10th consecutive year, more than 200 endangered manatees died in Florida waters in 2004, the Fort Myers News-Press reported in a story today.
In 2004, 264 manatees are reported to have died statewide, according to the newspaper. The annual count for the past six years has been more than 250, including more than 300 per year from 2001 through 2003.
The 49 dead manatees recorded in Lee County were second only to Brevard County’s 65, according to the News-Press.
Last year’s manatee mortality might seem to be an improvement over recent years, certainly an improvement by 116 deaths over 2003. But the 2004 number might grow, or some dead manatees might never be accounted for, biologist Ken Arrison told the newspaper.
“Since 1995, we’ve been relying greatly on citizen reports. There are more people on the water finding animals and reporting them,” Arrison said. “In part, this year’s numbers might be low because the state had four hurricanes. There are a lot less people on the water – it might be an economic thing, or people’s boats are down or repair shops are down.”
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