Manatees found dead in the Imperial River in Bonita Springs

Reporter: Annalise Iraola Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:

WINK News spotted three manatees, including a calf, in a cove on the Imperial River in Bonita Springs on Thursday.

A variety of things in the wild threaten these gentle giants, and their death toll has been rising for a long time now.

The two adults and one calf had their tails tied to trees with rope. WINK News reached out to FWC for information about these manatees. They provided WINK News with the following statement:

“Between March 6th and 20th, there were five carcasses reported in the Imperial River. The first one was towed to the Imperial River boat ramp and picked up, the others were secured in remote locations to naturally decompose. The carcasses were in an area affected by red tide.”

“It’s very disturbing. So it’s something that all boaters are aware of in this area. It’s something we’re always looking out for. But to see three of them and then a juvenile and then to right over there and not see any kind of boat marks or strikes that indicate a boat makes you ask why and that uncertainty. You know, it’s something that’s concerning,” said Stephanie Bishop, a boater in the area where the manatees were found.

Dead manatees in Bonita springs. (Credit: WINK News)

Red tide has been a problem for the last several weeks, and these are not the first manatees to die as a result.

WINK News spoke with Jameson Gray, a concerned Bonita Springs neighbor who sent in the tip about the dead manatees. “It’s not something that you see commonly to see manatees dead. Nor tied to trees. That’s just emotionally I was like, something is wrong here.”

He was right. Red tide was what was wrong.

The total Florida manatee population is believed to be about 2,300. Preliminary reporting indicates that 800 of the sea cows died last year.

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