25 dead manatees removed from Lee County waters, including Manatee Park, possibly due to cold stress

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

Manatee Park in Lee County was closed for hours Thursday after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission removed multiple dead manatees.

The FWC said it received an increase in reports of dead manatees in the Orange River and surrounding areas of Fort Myers. According to the FWC, approximately 25 manatee deaths were reported in Lee County between Feb. 13 and Feb. 18.

Initial observations point to cold stress as a possible contributing factor, officials said. However, the data is preliminary, and the event is under investigation by the FWC.

If you come across an injured, distressed or deceased manatee, the FWC said you can call its wildlife alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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