Florida manatee deaths rise in 2025 but remain below catastrophic 2021-2022 levels that killed one-fifth of population

Florida’s beloved manatees faced another challenging year in 2025, with 587 recorded deaths through November 7 representing a slight increase from recent years. However, these numbers remain significantly lower than the devastating losses of 2021 and 2022, when record die-offs killed approximately 20 percent of the entire manatee population and triggered widespread conservation alarm.

The gentle marine mammals, affectionately known as “sea cows,” continue to navigate multiple threats in Florida’s waterways. During the peak crisis years of 2021-2022, manatees faced a perfect storm of challenges that decimated their numbers and prompted emergency conservation measures. While the current mortality figures show the population hasn’t fully recovered to pre-crisis levels, the reduced death toll suggests that some interventions may be helping stabilize their numbers.

Conservation groups closely monitor these annual mortality statistics as a critical indicator of ecosystem health in Florida’s coastal and inland waterways. Manatees serve as important environmental barometers, with their population trends reflecting broader changes in water quality, habitat availability, and human impact on marine ecosystems.

The modest increase in 2025 deaths, while concerning, represents a more manageable challenge compared to the emergency-level losses that shocked researchers and the public just a few years ago. Environmental advocates continue pushing for enhanced protections and habitat restoration efforts to ensure these iconic creatures can recover from the recent population bottleneck and thrive in Florida’s waters for future generations.