Florida manatees face chronic welfare threats from boat propeller strikes, cold stunning events and starvation linked to seagrass decline.
Propeller injuries cause deep lacerations with associated pain, infection risk and partial disability. Cold stunning in northern waters causes temporary paralysis and hypothermia requiring rescue. Starvation from seagrass collapse causes rapid weight loss, immune suppression and weakness over weeks before death or rescue. The welfare burden on Florida manatees is now so severe that emergency feeding programmes have become routine — a measure of extreme population stress.