How Does Red Tide Affect Manatees?
Karenia brevis can create severe health problems for manatees, and in fact it has been implicated in many deaths of the endangered Florida manatee, in 1963, 1982, and 1996. During those years, it was found that seven, 39, and 149 animals, respectively, died in southwest Florida during the winter/spring. This spring in Southwest Florida, approximately 60 manatees have been found dead in a Red Tide zone. It is believed that there are three potential routes of how a manatee is exposed to the toxins of Red Tide. First, the churning of the sea and waves creates aerosol with toxins present, which the manatee breathes. Second, manatee can ingest toxic food. Third, and finally, the manatees can take in some seawater that contains the toxins. What Other Animals Are Affected by Red Tide? Many other aquatic animals are affected by Red Tide as well, including fish, invertebrates such as certain clams and oysters, other marine mammals such as dolphins, and water fowl and other birds.
