Dead Manatees Near Big Hickory Island Raise Boater Caution Alarms

Three manatees, including a young calf, were found dead near Big Hickory Island in Estero Bay, raising concern among wildlife experts, boaters, and conservationists. Those who frequently paddle or guide tours in the area say the cluster of recent deaths may reflect a growing danger for manatees in Florida’s waters.

Nick Schwartz, who leads tours with Paddle Naples, first discovered one of the carcasses while kayaking. He described the dead calf, approximately 4½ to 5 feet long, lying belly-up under mangroves near a channel where boats often travel at higher speeds. The other two were recovered that same day by scientists from Florida Gulf Coast University.

There have been 95 manatee deaths in Lee County so far this year — up from 85 total last year. Of those, nine have already been attributed to watercraft injuries.

Despite the number of deaths, the exact causes for the three recent ones have not been confirmed. Authorities are investigating and have not yet ruled out watercraft strikes. Meanwhile, local paddlers and wildlife advocates are urging boaters to slow down and respect manatee zones and “no wake” areas.

Why This Matters

• Manatees are already under pressure from habitat loss, algae blooms, cold stress, and other environmental threats. Being struck by boats adds a preventable risk.

• Estero Bay and waters near Big Hickory Island are heavily used for recreation and boating, which increases the likelihood of collisions if speed and visibility rules are ignored.

What Boaters & Public Can Do

• Reduce speed in or near posted manatee protection zones, especially in shallow or mangrove-lined channels.

• Obey “no wake” rules and stay alert for wildlife especially around dawn, dusk, or low light when visibility is poorer.

• Use polarized sunglasses, have a spotter, and monitor the water’s surface for signs of manatees (snout, swirl, tail) to avoid accidental impact.

• Report any injured, distressed, or dead manatees to Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC).

Authorities continue investigating, and further updates are expected once results of necropsies or other scientific assessments become available.