"Seagrass Resurgence Offers Ray Of Hope For Florida’s Hard-Hit Manatees"

"A remarkable turnaround in sea cows’ favorite food at Mosquito Lagoon means emergency feeding program can end".

"A picturesque expanse of water along Florida’s space coast is offering a modicum of hope for the state’s embattled manatees as wildlife officials review whether to restore the beloved sea cows to the endangered species list.

The recovery of seagrass, the manatees’ favorite food, in Mosquito Lagoon means that an emergency hand-feeding program that has kept many of the starving aquatic animals alive over the last two winters can be discontinued, at least temporarily.

While scientists say this might be only a small step in the wider fight to rescue a species that has seen a record die-off in recent years from water pollution and habitat loss, what’s happened at Mosquito Lagoon offers signposts to how the manatees’ battle for survival might ultimately be won."

Richard Luscombe reports for the Guardian January 4, 2024.

Source: Guardian, 01/05/2024