DEERFIELD BEACH, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Manatee deaths are climbing early in 2026, and local marine officials say the county is on pace to exceed its recent annual averages within the first quarter of the year.
Broward County’s Marine Resources Team has confirmed five manatee fatalities so far this year. An additional death was recorded near the county line at Deerfield Beach. By comparison, Broward documented eight manatee deaths in 2024 and seven in 2025.
The early spike mirrors a broader statewide trend. Florida is seeing a higher-than-expected mortality rate, driven largely by volatile winter weather patterns that have stressed the state’s manatee population.
Marine experts point to back-to-back temperature swings — unseasonably warm stretches followed by record-breaking cold snaps — as the primary factor. Those rapid shifts force manatees to move quickly between their summer feeding areas and winter warm-water refuges. The constant relocation increases exposure to Cold Stress Syndrome.
Manatees have low tolerance for cold water. When temperatures drop below 68 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods, their immune systems weaken. Under the strain of Cold Stress Syndrome, even minor illnesses or sub-lethal boat strikes can become fatal.
As water temperatures fluctuate, large groups of manatees are congregating at local warm-water refuges, including the Lauderdale Power Plant cooling lakes off the South Fork New River and the Port Everglades Power Plant cooling canal. These areas historically provide critical winter habitat when natural water temperatures fall.
The increased clustering of animals in confined areas also raises the risk of boat collisions.
Broward County officials are urging boaters to use heightened caution, especially in the South Fork New River, Port Everglades, and along the Intracoastal Waterway. Manatees often surface quietly and can be difficult to see. Boaters are advised to watch for shadows beneath the water and circular surface ripples known as “footprints,” which indicate a submerged manatee.
The County also encourages residents and boaters to report sightings using the free “I Spy a Manatee” mobile app, available through the Apple App Store and Google Play. The app allows users to log sightings and includes maps of state-regulated manatee protection and boating safety zones. With location services activated, users can immediately determine which protection zone they are traveling through.
Wildlife officials emphasize that public reporting plays a direct role in protecting the animals, particularly during periods of environmental stress.
Anyone who encounters a sick, injured, or deceased manatee should contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 24-hour Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-FWCC (3922), or dial *FWC or #FWC from a mobile phone. Callers are encouraged to provide the exact location, approximate size of the animal, its condition, and the date and time of the sighting. Photos or video, when safely obtained, can assist responders.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission oversees statewide manatee management and response efforts, while Broward County’s Marine Resources Team monitors local conditions and coordinates with state agencies.
With winter temperature swings continuing across South Florida, officials say vigilance from boaters and residents will be critical in the months ahead.
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