Florida Breaks, a Grim Record in 2021 , With Over 1,000 Manatee Deaths.<br />'The Independent' reports that over 1,000 manatees <br />have died in Florida so far in 2021, <br />breaking the previous annual record. .<br />The threatened marine mammals are <br />reportedly starving due to heavily polluted <br />water destroying their food supply. .<br />On November 17, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that 2021 broke the previous record of 830 deaths set in 2013.<br />According to state officials and environmental groups, polluted runoff from agriculture and sewage has caused algae blooms. .<br />According to state officials and environmental groups, polluted runoff from agriculture and sewage has caused algae blooms. .<br />Those algae blooms kill the seagrass which comprise most of the manatees diet. .<br />On November 17, ZooTampa, one of four main manatee critical care centers in Florida, said in a statement, , “Manatees are in serious trouble.”.<br />The loss of more than 1,000 manatees <br />this year is deeply concerning and will <br />have serious repercussions for years to come, ZooTampa, via Independent.<br />State lawmakers have been asked to approve $7 million <br />for seagrass restoration, the development <br />of manatee rehabiliation centers and other projects. .<br />'The Independent' reports that last year, <br />lawmakers approved $8 million. .<br />In 1966, manatees were listed <br />as an endangered species. .<br />In 2017, they were removed from that list, <br />and their status was changed to 'threatened.' .<br />According to 'The Independent,' advocates <br />have been pushing to have the vulnerable <br />mammal returned to endangered status.
