ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — This year hasn’t been a good one for the Florida manatee. According to state wildlife statistics, there have been more manatee deaths so far this year than all of last year. Experts blame a cold snap at the beginning of the year and the toxic red tide algae in the Gulf of Mexico for the fatalities. “We expect the red tide related manatee death toll to rise,” said Jeff Ruch, executive director for Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a D.C.-based non-profit. “For many years, the leading causes of manatee deaths was collisions with boats,” said Ruch.

Source: National Post August 20, 2018 20:37 UTC