Florida's Hurricanes May Have Missed Manatees - ENN

[hatrack]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla — "The fury of four hurricanes in Florida may have spared the state's endangered manatee population from further decline.

The annual report by the state Fish and Wildlife Research Institute shows deaths statewide fell to 276 in 2004 from 370 recorded in 2003.

"One theory is the four hurricanes that affected the state this year means we had less boating activity," said Tom Pitchford, a biologist with the research institute. "Fewer boats on the water means fewer manatees struck."

The total manatee death rate spiked in 2003 because of an aquatic phenomenon called a red tide event. It's caused by an unpredictable algae bloom that can sicken and kill sea life when it is ingested. "

EDIT

http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=6893

[amazona]

1. well it's an ill wind that blows no one any good

Good luck to the manatees.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72