Red tide blamed for manatee deaths  12-09-2005

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - The massive red tide bloom in southwest Florida is suspected to be the cause of nearly a quarter of the state's manatee deaths so far this year.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute says through November, 79 of the endangered sea creatures from Pasco County to Collier County either died from red tide or are red-tide suspects. That's 22 percent of the state's 358 manatee deaths.

Researchers say the numbers have scientists worried about the area's manatee population.

The 358 manatee deaths this year are third highest on record. It marks the fourth time in five years the death toll has been more than 300.

Lee County leads the state in total manatee deaths with 64; Brevard County is a distant second with 51.

Most of the manatee died from natural causes, including red tide, but about 20 percent died after being hit by boats.

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