LEE COUNTY, Fla—WINK News has learned critical new details in the deaths of more than two dozen manatees in Lee County.

According to the Save the Manatee Club, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) told them as many as 30 manatees have now died in recent days, in part due to the dangerously cold conditions earlier this month across Southwest Florida.

WINK News is also working to confirm the exact number of manatee deaths.

FWC told WINK News that the agency “will not likely have updated numbers until Wednesday when our Mortality Reports get updated.”

This latest development comes just one day after FWC confirmed 25 manatees were found dead between February 13 and February 18 at Manatee Park and along the Orange River. The park has since reopened.

Patrick Rose, the Executive Director of the Save the Manatee Club, tells WINK News that during a conversation with Florida Power & Light, the company told him its facility could not operate as normal during the recent cold spell.  He says protocols were in place if water temperatures dipped below 61 degrees, which, he says, did not happen in this instance.

“FPL did make an effort to provide auxiliary heating, but it also didn’t happen as fast as they wanted to. It was about three days later than what they had hoped to do”, Rose added, “Whether or not that three days made the difference, I think will have to be looked at and investigated carefully.”

FWC has previously noted that when water temperatures drop below 68 degrees, manatees in Florida seek refuge in springs, power plant discharge areas, and other warm-water sites.

Rose, an aquatic biologist, is questioning whether current protocols are sufficient.

WINK News reached out to FPL for comment about the manatee deaths and for a response to Rose’s comments. We received the following statement:

We are aware that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is investigating manatee deaths at Manatee Park. We are coordinating closely with the FWC. For more information about this incident, please contact the FWC.

FWC in a statement to WINK News adds:

Findings from our carcass response indicate these animals died as a result of cold stress associated with recent cold weather conditions. 

Historically, each winter there is an increase in manatee mortalities and rescues statewide due to cold stress. Manatees need access to water that is warmer than 68°F to survive prolonged cold weather. As temperatures drop, Florida manatees move into springs, power plant discharge areas and other warm-water areas. 

At this time, it is not yet known to what extent a recent, unplanned shutdown of a nearby Florida Power & Light power plant may have impacted mortality levels. The power plant is now back to full operation and the FWC appreciates Florida Power & Light’s commitment to support manatee conservation.

FWC staff continue to respond to reports of live manatees in distress in the area. Each manatee death is investigated and documented. Members of the public can help by reporting injured, distressed or deceased manatees to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) so trained responders can assist.