Florida Fish and Wildlife investigates 25 manatee deaths in Fort Myers

LEE COUNTY, Fla. - Visitors at Manatee Park were met with an unexpected scene Thursday. The park had temporarily closed, leaving guests to find a closed gate.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed to WINK News that 25 manatees were found dead in the Orange River and surrounding areas of Fort Myers between February 13 and February 18. Initial observations suggested that cold stress might be a contributing factor, but the investigation remains active.

WINK News reporter Bridget Bruchalski was at Manatee Park as the park reopened, capturing the removal of one of the deceased manatees with a drone. The footage depicted an orange crane lifting a manatee from the water and placing it into a blue dumpster.

Laurie Buechl, a Cape Coral neighbor, expressed her sadness over the situation.

“That would be really sad if one died. But I guess, you know, everybody has a lifespan, but it's still sad, if it's dead,” said Buechl.

Carmen Tempone, a tourist from Mississippi, traveled to see manatees for the first time.

“That's horrible. It's like, what's killing the manatees? Because they look so beautiful and majestic,” said Tempone.

The smell at the scene was overpowering, according to both Buechl and Tempone.

“That smells like garbage. Yeah, that smells really gross,” said Buechl.

“It reminded me of what it smelled like after Katrina with the dead seafood, it just had that dead fish smell. That's all I can. You can smell it. It's really strong,” said Tempone.

Tempone had driven from Mississippi for an annual girls' trip, hoping to kayak with the manatees.

“This is kind of like almost a letdown,” said Tempone.

Buechl had visitors from New York and New Jersey who wanted to experience Florida's wildlife.

“We had visitors in cousins in from New York and New Jersey, and we come and see the manatees because they've never seen them. And now it's not open,” said Buechl.

Upon arrival, they encountered a ranger truck and a sign indicating the park was closed for unknown reasons.

“There was the Ranger truck, and then there was the sign that said that they were closed for an unknown reasons,” said Buechl.

Tempone shared her confusion over the lack of information from the park staff.

“He just kind of gave us a look like, I don't know what to tell you. We asked what was going on, and they would said they couldn't tell us,” said Tempone.

The situation left both women feeling devastated.

“It is gut-wrenching to hear when any animal dies. So especially ones like this, you know, where they are protected,” said Tempone.

The FWC stated that some of the deceased manatees underwent necropsies, and all have been disposed of. The investigation into the cause of death continues, with cold stress as a potential factor.

Stay tuned to WINKNews.com, WINK News App, streaming, and on-air for any new developments on this story.