Runoff from farms has caused an algae bloom which has not left space for enough sea grasses – the primary food of the manatee.
Without food the manatee population is severely endangered and likely to suffer mass starvation. 12 manatees have already died this year due to this poisonous algae.
The united fish and wildlife service changed the conservation status of manatees from endangered to threatened in 2019: this was clearly not a good move.
A considerable number of Floridians are blaming the current administration and Rick Scott who has determinately reduce the budget of of these environmental protections. Without a significant changing governmental behaviour this is unlikely to be reversed anytime soon.
