FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — When manatees on Florida’s east coast gather next winter, they’re likely to face another season of starvation.
Despite efforts to reduce pollution in the Indian River Lagoon, where record numbers of manatees died in the past two years, the sea cows are unlikely to find enough seagrass to get through next winter without help. Proposals to improve water quality and protect seagrass died in the Republican-dominated state Legislature, although lawmakers did budget more money for manatee habitat restoration and rescues.
Such rescues appear likely to be needed next winter, as wildlife officials say they expect to mount another emergency feeding operation, in which they supplement the manatees’ natural diet with handouts of lettuce.
