Why Did Manatees Die at Manatee Park? Understanding Cold Stress in Southwest Florida
When news broke that 25 manatees were found dead near Manatee Park and the Orange River in Fort Myers, many families were heartbroken. These gentle giants are a special part of Southwest Florida, especially during winter when visitors gather to see them in warm waters. After investigating, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) determined the primary cause was cold stress.
But what does that really mean — and why is cold so dangerous for manatees? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is Cold Stress?
Manatees are warm-blooded mammals, just like humans. Their bodies must stay at a steady internal temperature to survive.
Unlike whales, manatees do not have thick layers of blubber. They also don’t have fur to keep them warm. That means they depend heavily on warm water. When water temperatures drop below about 68°F for an extended period of time, manatees can develop cold stress.
Cold stress can cause:
Even if a manatee eventually finds warmer water, the damage may already be too severe for it to recover.
Why Do Manatees Gather at Manatee Park?
Every winter, manatees move toward warm-water areas to survive colder temperatures. One of the most well-known winter gathering spots in our area is Manatee Park.
Nearby, the Florida Power & Light (FPL) power plant releases warm water during normal operations. This creates a warm-water refuge that attracts dozens — sometimes hundreds — of manatees during cold snaps.
During the recent February cold spell, many manatees were already in the area seeking warmth. However, the power plant experienced an unplanned shutdown, which meant the warm-water discharge temporarily stopped.
Without consistent warm water, already vulnerable manatees were exposed to dangerously cold temperatures.
FWC continues to evaluate the timeline, but cold stress has been confirmed as the primary factor in the deaths.
Why Cold Is Especially Dangerous for Florida Manatees
Florida manatees evolved in warm, tropical waters. Historically, they relied on natural freshwater springs to survive winter cold.
Today, many manatees depend on man-made warm-water sources like power plants because:
Natural springs are limited in number.
Habitat changes have altered migration patterns.
Development has reduced some traditional warm-water areas.
This dependence creates risk. If a power plant shuts down — even temporarily — manatees can suddenly lose their primary heat source.
Nutrition Matters Too
Cold wasn’t the only challenge. Over the past several years, Florida has experienced significant seagrass loss in some regions. Seagrass is the main food source for manatees.
When manatees are undernourished, they have fewer fat reserves to protect them from cold temperatures. A weakened body combined with prolonged cold exposure can become deadly. In many cases, cold stress impacts animals that are already struggling.
What Does Cold Stress Look Like?
Wildlife experts look for signs such as:
Some manatees can be rescued and rehabilitated if caught early. Others may not survive if exposure lasts too long.
What This Means for Southwest Florida Families
Manatees are protected and have made a comeback thanks to conservation efforts. However, they remain vulnerable to:
Events like this remind us how connected wildlife is to environmental conditions. Even small changes in temperature can have a big impact.
How You Can Help
If you see a sick, injured, or dead manatee, call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at: 888-404-FWCC (3922)
Never approach or attempt to touch a manatee. They are protected animals, and trained responders are best equipped to help.
Families can also help by:
Following slow-speed boating zones
Supporting clean water efforts
Teaching children about wildlife conservation
Final Thoughts
Manatees are gentle, peaceful animals that rely on warm Florida waters to survive. A few days of extreme cold can be life-threatening for them — especially if their warm-water refuge is unavailable. Understanding what happened at Manatee Park helps our community learn how to better protect these incredible animals in the future. They are part of what makes Southwest Florida so special.