More than 770 manatees have died in Florida waters in 2018…but there is some good news.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said on Tuesday they believe at least 7500 and possibly as many as 10,000 manatees are in state waters, up from previous estimates of around 6,000.
As for the large number of deaths this year, officials blame an extended winter cold snap and prolonged exposure to red tide.