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FILE: Manatees swimming as a group. (Credit: WINK News/FILE) A chilly weekend is on tap for the Sunshine State, which means manatees will have to seek warmer water for refuge. But what if they can’t find enough food on the way? In just the first few weeks of the new year, at least 47 Florida manatees have died, based on preliminary state data. One young orphaned female manatee got a second chance. She was rescued in Fort Pierce last February, suffering from cold stress and malnutrition. On Thursday, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and volunteers, released her back to the wild. Right now, FWC is preparing for cooler air and dropping water temperatures statewide by feeding hundreds of manatees at its temporary field response station. Tom Reinert Ph.D., regional director for the FWC south region, explained, ”We’re here at the temporary field response station at FPL Cape Canaveral Energy Center in Titusville and this is the site of our pilot program for feeding manatees this winter. ” Feeding the manatees is a short-term solution to both the manatee and while seagrass die-off is plaguing the animals. “Last Thursday, manatee started feeding here,” he added. “As you can see behind me we’ve got quite a few now they’re showing up and we’re starting that program.” But with the cooler temperatures, staff are seeing more dead manatees, and rescue and recovery operations are underway. The manatee released Thursday is tagged with a satellite tracker. If you see a sick, injured, dead, or tagged manatee, you’re urged to call Call 888-404-FWCC (3922) to call #FWC or *FWC from your cell phone. Be prepared to provide information for the following questions: Is the manatee alive or dead? When did you see the manatee? What is the exact location of the manatee? How long have you observed the manatee? What is the approximate size of the manatee? What is the location of the public boat ramp closest to the manatee? Does the manatee have a “tag” attached near its tail? Can you provide a contact number where you can be reached for further information? After contacting the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline, a manatee biologist will call you back to the number you provided. In the meantime, please take pictures and/or a video of the manatee to send to the biologist. This footage can assist in determining what is wrong with the manatee and/or to help identify the individual through any unique characteristics if it happens to leave the area prior to further evaluation of its condition. If you are not sure about contacting the FWC, please review some of the reasons that manatees are rescued.