Florida Manatee Count Breaks Record

The preliminary results of the 2015 manatee population aerial survey overseen by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation are in and the state reports this year’s count of 6,063 manatees breaks the previous high-count record set in 2010 by nearly 1,000 creatures.

This year’s survey was conducted by a team of 20 people, representing 11 organizations. A total of 3,333 manatees were counted on the east coast while the west coast logged a close 2,730, a media release from FWC states.

While the annual survey gives biologists a good idea of Florida’s manatee population, it’s not a definitive measure, the agency pointed out. Each year the annual survey only focuses on counting those manatees that are visible from the sky. That means creatures that aren’t caught on camera aren’t counted.

Even so, this year’s numbers add up to equal good news, according to the state.

“The high count this year is especially encouraging, given the large-scale mortality events that resulted in over 800 deaths in 2013,” Gil McRae, director of the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute was quoted in the release as saying.

See Also:

• Manatee Confab Breaks Record
• 300 Manatees Congregate to Escape the Cold
• Photos: Rescued Manatees Returned to the Wild

This year’s record-breaking count was made largely possible in light of favorable weather conditions, FWC biologist Holly Edwards said.

“In many of the regions surveyed, warm, sunny weather caused manatees to rest at the water’s surface, which facilitated our efforts to count them in these areas,” Edwards was quoted as saying. “Calm waters and high visibility also contributed to the high count.”

Large congregations of manatees also made the news this year. Crystal River’s Three Sisters Springs, for example, saw 528 critters during a one-day count this year in comparison to 65 that were counted five years ago, FWC noted on its Facebook page. The springs are expected to continue to contain large numbers of manatees through the end of March. To find out more about visiting them, visit the Crystal River Complex’s Facebook page.

While this year’s manatee count is up, these creatures remain protected in Florida. To learn more about Florida’s manatee population, visit the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website.

Image from Facebook

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