ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - A deadly algae bloom is causing a record number of manatee deaths in Florida, state biologists said.
A red tide bloom has been killing ten or more manatees a day and the deadly algae bloom shows no sign of letting up any time soon, the Tampa Bay Times reported on Friday.
"This is probably going to be the worst die-off in history," said Martine DeWit, a veterinarian who oversees the state's marine mammal pathology laboratory.
The record for manatees killed by red tide was set in 1996 with 151 killed by a toxin in the algae bloom. As of Friday, the number killed this year hit 149, and the number could surpass the current record by the end of the weekend.
DeWit said the toxins in the bloom likely settled onto the sea grass that manatee eat, causing them to become paralyzed and eventually drown. The grass beds will also likely retain their poisonous coating for another two months.
Nearly a dozen manatees have been rescued and are being treated at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.
Red tide turns the water into a rust color, releasing large amounts of toxins. The current bloom affects 70 miles of the southwest Florida coast, from Sarasota through the middle of Lee County.
Estimates show there are between 4,000-5,000 manatees in Florida, and less than half of them are found in southwest Florida, according to the Tampa Bay Times report. Virtually all of the manatees killed by the red tide have turned up in the center of that stretch.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:11 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:11:56 GMT
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods with winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were reported killed.
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods with winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were reported killed.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:23:10 GMT
A twister ripped through the Lake Township area almost three years ago. The community is pretty much back to normal, but residents still remember the horror that hit their neighborhood in 2010.
A twister ripped through the Lake Township area almost three years ago. The community is pretty much back to normal, but residents still remember the horror that hit their neighborhood in 2010.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:18:47 GMT
For some people in Northwest Ohio, the image of a massive tornado is something they only see on TV. But Allan Detrich puts himself directly in their path."Seeing the storms out in the plains, they're
A local man remembers being in Oklahoma City in 1999, when a massive tornado ravaged the city. Allan Detrich of Fremont says the area was devastated and Monday's tornado reminds him of what happened some 14 years ago.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:15 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:15:43 GMT
Thousands of shipwrecks rest close to home and some local divers are on a mission to discover them. The weather on Lake Erie can be violent at times without much warning. Darkness, fog, wind and waves
Local divers are on a search to discover some of the thousands of shipwrecks on the bottom of Lake Erie.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:44:13 GMT
Toledo Police have shut down southbound I-75 between Anthony Wayne Trail and South due to a serious accident. We're told it is a rollover crash. At least one man was seriously injured when he was ejected
I-75 remains closed between Anthony Wayne Trail and South as of 7:30 p.m. Monday evening after a serious accident.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:37 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:37:02 GMT
Portions of Moore, Oklahoma were ravaged by a mile-wide tornado this Monday afternoon. This follows a near-record quiet start to tornado season. Strong storms may reach northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan by Tuesday.
Portions of Moore, Oklahoma were ravaged by a mile-wide tornado this Monday afternoon. This follows a near-record quiet start to tornado season. Strong storms may reach northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan by Tuesday.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:14 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:14:35 GMT
Severe weather is sweeping areas of the plains states. At least one person is dead and more storms are on the way today. ISOH/IMPACT is preparing to help those affected by the spring storms in Texas
A large tornado roared through the southern part of Oklahoma City and Moore, Oklahoma Monday afternoon. Damage is extensive. Video showed blocks of flattened homes and vehicles tossed upside down.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:41 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:41:39 GMT
The warmer weather bring out all of the bugs. Today begins the Toledo Area Sanitary District's battle with mosquitos. Both rainfall and temperature play a role in how many mosquitos we'll have this
The Toledo Area Sanitary District has started mosquito control. Monday evening marks the first day of light trapping. Biologists trap mosquitos and then study the numbers and types throughout the county. Free backyard sprays begin this week and neighborhood fogging starts in June. Log on to 13abc.com for details.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:10 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:10:08 GMT
A man was taken to the hospital Monday after a drive-by shooting. It happened in the 1200 block of Belmont. Toledo police say someone inside a black SUV opened fire on a minivan. The driver of the minivan
A man was taken to the hospital Monday after a drive-by shooting. It happened in the 1200 block of Belmont.
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