A new way to protect manatees

Manatees meet an untimely death in collisions with watercraft and also with flood gates and boat locks. A new "underwater acoustic system" (fancy talk for a way to tell if a manatee is passing by) can keep manatees from being squished by closing locks, at least. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute developed the idea, according to Science Daily. The article there has all the science and how-it-works nitty gritty -- check it out!

Manatee deaths linked to red tide residue

Red tide-tainted sea grass has been linked to the deaths of 27 manatees whose bodies were found in Lee County waters in late March and early April, unusual for such a large number of animals to die when red tide is not present in the water - April 22, Lakeland Ledger

Feds: Manatee has rebounded from brink of extinction

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday recommended upgrading the manatee's status from endangered to threatened, a move that indicates the animal has rebounded from the brink of extinction; the manatee remains protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, making it illegal to harass, poach or kill the animals - April 9, Associated Press

Deaths of 26 manatees linked to red tide

State officials are waiting to see whether red tide is the main culprit in the deaths of 26 manatees in western Lee County in the past two weeks, including four that were found Monday - April 3, News-Press

Bystanders help state crews save three manatees

State wildlife officials helped save three manatees Monday afternoon, but they didn't do it alone; they got help from some people having lunch at Cape Harbour - March 26, NBC2 News

Wildlife officials crack down on people bothering manatees

Federal and state wildlife officials say they're watching the waters where manatees swim in Citrus County after receiving hundreds of complaints over the past few days that some people are harassing the animals; the complaints stem from footage recently posted on the Internet showing people standing on manatees and trying to ride the large aquatic mammals - March 13, Gainesville Sun

Troubled waters for manatees?

Sea cows call the warm waters near energy facilities home. Scientists fear that if a plant closes, those animals might not head to springs or migrate to South Florida - Feb. 26, Orlando Sentinel

Officials begin manatee count

Florida wildlife officials Tuesday began the state's annual manatee count, taking advantage of the cold snap to survey the sea cows at their winter refuges - Jan 31, Orlando Sentinel

20 boat-related manatee deaths renew debate

Five years after controversial zones went in countywide, Brevard saw its worst year on record for boat-related manatee deaths -- 20 so far -- and state wildlife officials say they don't know why - Dec. 19, Florida Today

Carcass of Memphis manatee under study

The carcass of a manatee found beside a Mississippi River canal was under study Tuesday, but why the warm-water mammal took a swim that ended hundreds of miles north of its natural range will likely remain a mystery - Dec. 12, AP

Study sinks suggestions that manatees are stupid

Manatees have generally been considered incapable of doing anything more complicated than munching sea grass - Nov. 14, AP