ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — One thing wildlife officials have learned during the winter experimental feeding program to help manatees avoid starvation is that if you feed them, they will come.

Eleven in Florida, including in Manatee County, have contracted Vibrio vulnificus bacteria in 2025. Four deaths were reported. The bacteria is naturally occurring in brackish seawater and can infect ...

Manatees were spotted at the Calusa Marina in Goodland, Florida on March 31st. The manatees were drinking fresh water and appeared to enjoy being sprayed with a hose. Manatees, nicknamed "sea cows," ...

Manatee County is one of 10 Florida counties that have reported a case of 'flesh-eating' bacteria infection so far this year. The single Manatee County case did not result in death, but four of the ...

One of the threats to manatees is cold stress. Manatees need warmth to survive. They’re vulnerable when the water temperature drops below 68 degrees, between November to March. Their round appearance ...

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — One thing ...