Because of the red tide, the loss of food sources and the collision with boats

An alarming increase in the death of dugongs ... and no "beds" in Florida hospitals

In 2021 the number of marine mammals dying dramatically increased.

A.F.B.

The sucking sea cow "Lativa" was so ill that caregivers had to put a flotation device on it to allow it to climb to the surface and breathe, but no luck was good, as these marine mammals spend at an unprecedented rate in Florida, and there are not enough "beds" Animal hospitals to deal with the crisis.

When I rescued Lativa, a two-year-old, last month, she was suffering from severe exposure to powerful neurotoxins produced by red tides or algal blooms that pollute some water bodies in the US state.

"She was found on the beach," said Molly Lippincott, director of animal welfare at Zotamba at Lowry Park. "She was unconscious and not responding."

Today, Lativa is breathing independently, but she is still being watched closely in an intensive care pool next to Bellissima, who was suffering from malnutrition and seriously injured after being hit by a boat.

Red tides caused by human use of fertilizers, loss of food sources in their natural environment and shocks from boat collisions are among the main causes of the death of dugongs in Florida.

And this year, the number of dead marine mammals has risen dramatically.

Between January 1 and mid-April, 674 sea cows were found dead in Florida waters, according to the Florida Commission for Fish and Wildlife Conservation, which is three times the number of dead mammals recorded in the same period in each of the previous five years.

"We face a lot of environmental problems, because there are so many people who live here now," Lippincott added.

When Lativa and Bellissima improve, they will be transferred to recovery ponds, where about 20 dugongs are fed and taken care of so they can return to their natural surroundings.

There are five "hospitals" for dugongs in Florida.

The basin in Tampa is one of the largest, and contains three intensive care basins.

But this year's shocking death rate has overstretched these facilities.

Boat scars

Dugongs are giant, playful mammals that graze kelp and live in warm, shallow waters because they need to come to the surface frequently to breathe.

Usually, the increase in the death rate of dugongs can be attributed to crashes with boats and water-jet skis that pass quickly through the habitats of these animals.

"When a seaside cow ascends to catch its breath, it is usually at risk of hitting a boat," Lippincott explains.

In recovery ponds, many of these animals suffer scars when a dugongs collide with the keel or parallel lines when they collide with an outboard engine.

"It's moving very slowly," Lippincott said.

It sails at about five miles an hour, so she has no time to get away from the boats.

"People should slow down when they are in shallow water."

Florida doesn't require boat operators to have licenses, as users just don't need to complete a course that doesn't include a lot of information about the local wildlife.

Tourists who rent boats are often unaware of the existence of dugongs, despite the fact that there are 7000 of them in the state.

Fertilizers and sanitation

The high mortality of dugongs, so far this year, on Florida's eastern shores appears to be partly due to the disappearance of seaweeds that do not get enough sunlight due to the algae bloom due to the massive use of fertilizers and sewage.

And last month, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission classified the tragic situation as an "extraordinary mortality rate," a rare move that freed federal funds for an investigation.

Many of the dead dugongs were found to be malnourished along the central Florida coast and the South Atlantic Ocean.

• 674 sea cows were found dead in Florida waters.

• 5 dugong hospitals and 3 intensive care yards.

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