Florida – Florida is seeing a record number of manatee deaths as food sources dry up and increasing pollution takes its toll.

The number of manatees that have died just in the first half of this year outstrips the number that died in an entire year in the past, The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

As The Guardian reported, at least 841 manatees died between January 1 and July 2 in 2021, with Brevard County recording the overwhelming majority with 312 dead animals.

Some biologists believe water pollution is responsible for the problem, with more toxic algae forming due to climate change.

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A previous massive die-off occurred in 2013 due to toxic red tide, which is a dangerous algae bloom.

The manatees feed on the algae because they lack suitable seagrass and subsequently die in agony.

However, boating accidents also contribute to the high numbers.

The preferred environment for a manatee is shallow waters. If boaters don't take care when navigating, they can easily slice a manatee with their propeller – leaving scars if they are lucky, but very often killing the creature.

According to authorities, the number of manatees in Florida's waters has actually improved by far. Assuming about 6,300 specimens today, there were only 1,300 in the early 1990s.

Nevertheless, in the face of increasing pollution, animal rights activists are calling for the herbivorous mammals to be reclassified as endangered.