A succession of intense winter freezes has triggered a sharp increase in manatee mortality across Southwest Florida. Preliminary data published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory reveals that 176 manatee deaths were recorded in the re gion during the opening months of 2026—a sharp elevation compared to identical timeframes […] Winter Cold Snaps Drive Spike In Southwest Florida Manatee Deaths ...read more read less