As manatee deaths continue to rise, Florida wildlife officials ask boaters to look out
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. โ Manatee deaths are on track to reach new records this year as the sea cows face multiple environmental threats, but Florida wildlife officials are asking boaters to take extra precautions this year to prevent adding to the problem. A combination of cold weather, a decline in seagrass due to development and contaminated waterways have put Florida on pace for its highest number of manatee deaths in a decade. Last year, the state recorded 637 manatee deaths for the entire year, and in 2019, there were 607. On Wednesday, the FWC issued a reminder to boaters to slow down and look out for manatees this spring. As water temperatures warm up, manatees begin to move away from their winter habitats, according to Florida wildlife officials.
12-foot gator lunges 3 feet out of water, chomps Florida manโs arm
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. โ A Seminole County man bitten by an alligator said his training as a paramedic helped him think quickly during the attack. โWe saw the big gator laying up in the middle of the canal,โ said Kieffer. Kieffer said that he and another person on the boat work as paramedics for the City of Tavares Fire Department. โUnfortunately, since we were so shallow, he was able to push off the bottom and launch himself into the boat and thatโs where he got a hold of my arm,โ Kieffer said. Kieffer said doctors believe they can save his arm as heโs regained feeling in his fingers.