Florida's manatees faced near-record deaths for young sea cows in 2025, but also saw seagrass recovery, new legal protections, and scientific breakthroughs offering hope for the future.
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Florida’s manatee mortality count surpassed 600 deaths in 2025, with Brevard County recording the most, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
ZooTampa released a total of 26 rehabilitated manatees in 2025. Boat strikes and loss of seagrass, a primary food source, are two significant factors that cause manatee sickness and injury. The Zoo is ...