St. Petersburg, Florida (AP) – Feeding wildlife is generally considered off-limits, but the dire situation in Florida, where more than 1,000 manatees are starving to death due to man-made pollution, is forcing authorities to consider an unprecedented eating plan.
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The US Fish and Wildlife Service and state environmental officials are set to present a limited proposal this week to test how it works to feed the favorite marine mammals in a particular Florida. This is rarely done with any wild animal, but the situation has become such a crisis that it must be reckoned with, said Patrick Rose, executive director of Save the Manatee Club.
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The club was founded in 1981 by Florida troubadour Jimmy Buffett and former US Governor and Senator Bob Graham.
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“It is the entire ecosystem that is affected and will be affected for the next decade,” Rose said in an interview Tuesday. “This is a necessary stopgap measure. It is a problem created by man and man has to solve it. “
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A spokesman for the Fish and Wildlife Service said in an email that the agency “was allowed to proceed with a limited feeding trial,” but that details were not yet final. A formal announcement is expected this weekend.
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Emerging plans will include feeding manatees at the Florida Power and Light plant in Cape Canaveral on the east bank of the Indian River Lagoon, where manatees flock during the cold winter months due to the plant’s discharge of hot water. It will be an experiment to distribute lettuce, cabbage and other vegetables in a controlled manner through a conveyor belt, Rose said.
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People will not be allowed to start dropping lettuce anywhere in Florida Bay.
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“In no way do we want to convey that we recommend that the mother be inactive. It is illegal and continues to be so, ”Rose said.
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Manetti has long struggled to survive with humans. Hundreds of slow-moving animals are run over by boats each year, creating a no-go zone for manatees throughout Florida, and violations carry significant fines. But according to state figures, as of November 19, a record 1,017 human deaths had been reported due to fear of starvation.
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With the onset of winter, even in Florida, another bad year is expected.
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This is mainly due to flooding from farms, urban areas, and sewers that promote the growth of blue-green algae and other harmful organisms. It turns off the necessary light for the seagrasses, eliminating the main source of food for manatees. Climate change is also a factor that worsens algal blooms.
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And it’s not just manatees. With the health of a wide range of aquatic organisms, from crabs to dolphins, seaweed peacocks can affect people’s health. In addition to protecting animals, boat captains, tourists, and others who come to Florida for a chance to see these creatures suffer financial loss.
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“Literally, saving mentions is part of saving the ecosystem. If we can take care of this, manatees will thrive. If we don’t, they won’t, “Rose said.” We are in the most critical position.
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The federal government has listed manatees as endangered for years, but their numbers increased significantly in 2017 (authorities say there are 7,000 to 8,000 animals in Florida) or their condition is at risk. US Republican, Rep. Some Florida politicians, including Verne Buchanan, are pushing for a restoration of the endangered state that draws them more attention and resources.
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