More manatees died from cold stress this winter

Florida is on pace for another cold, harsh record year for manatee deaths, according to an environmental watchdog group.

Already, 166 manatees have died statewide, state statistics through March 2 show.

Cold spells in January and February claimed 51 manatees statewide this year, including 10 of the 22 deaths in Brevard County.

More than 150 manatees died in just the first seven weeks of 2018, putting Florida on pace to set an annual record for manatee deaths, according to the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), a nonprofit government watchdog group.

“Florida’s manatees are one big freeze away from an ecological disaster and need more, not less, protection,” stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch.