Red Tide is the scourge of west coast Florida beaches. For the many years I lived there, this almost yearly algae bloom would kill thousands of fish which would then wash up on the Gulf Beaches and stink. This year the Red Tide has added a new victim, the slow moving, graceful and beloved manatees of the Florida West Coast.

Apparently, Red Tide algae can be toxic when consumed by manatees, as it causes them to become paralyzed. The paralyzed manatees eventually drown as they cannot return to the surface for air. According to the Tampa Tribune, authorities believe that approximately 200 Manatees were killed this year by Red Tide. Even though the bloom has dissipated, manatee deaths can continue for several months as the toxins settle onto the Sea Grass, the manatees major food source. manatees are on the Federal endangered Species List and have been protected by Florida Law since 1893. The deaths this year have reduced the manatee population by approximately 10%.

As any Floridian can tell you, manatees are wonderful mammals. They are gentle vegetarians that can reach up to 13 feet long and weigh up to two tons. They are distantly related to elephants and aardvarks. Manatees have also been known to body surf or barrel roll when playing. They have no major predators, but their biggest foe is us! According to Save the Manatee Club, “Florida’s West Indian manatees have no natural enemies, and it is believed they can live 60 years or more. As with all wild animal populations, a certain percentage of manatee mortality is attributed to natural causes of death such as cold stress, gastrointestinal disease, pneumonia, and other diseases. A high number of additional fatalities are from human-related causes. Most human-related manatee fatalities occur from collisions with watercraft. Other causes of human-related manatee mortality include being crushed and/or drowned in canal locks and flood control structures; ingestion of fish hooks, litter, and mono-filament line; and entanglement in crab trap lines. Ultimately, loss of habitat is the most serious threat facing manatees in the United States today. There is a minimum population count of 4,834 manatees, as of January 2011.”

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has managed to rescue about 10 of the Manatees affected by Red Tide toxins. All have survived and 4 were recently released into a sanctuary away from the Red Tide and speeding boat propellers.