According to data collected by the biologists from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the mortality rate for manatees has surpassed past records. During 2009 FWC has documented the death of 419 manatees in Florida waters. Recently one more was added to the statistics. On Sunday, Dec. 27, a manatee was discovered floating in the water of a canal in Flamingo Bay.

Retrieved by officials with FWC, a preliminary report had determined that the cause of death of the animal was a result of a boat collision. The manatee is a female manatee weighing 1,125 pounds and measuring approximately 10 feet in length. According to Wendy Quigley with FWC, this manatee is among the 94 who have succumbed to injuries sustained from boat collisions this year. FWC is continuing to examine the manatee to see if there also were any pathological reasons for the animal’s death.

“Our office unfortunately receives a lot of calls about injured manatees and it is very helpful that anyone who has either accidentally hits a manatee with their boat or finds one that is distressed, injured or deceased to call our Wildlife Alert Line,” said Quigley. “This year we have seen the highest numbers of manatee fatalities on record and we appreciate calls from the public alerting us to these kinds of incidences.”

It is believed that the manatee found in the waters of Flamingo Bay in St. James City had been struck and injured by a boat in Matlacha Pass and floated into the canal after it had expired.

To report an injured or dead manatee, call 1-888-4040-3922.