Red Tide proves deadly to Manatees and possibly for humans

A red tide algae bloom that has spread along the southwest Florida coast is killing ten or more manatee a day.

The algae bloom occurs nearly annually along Florida's coast from Sarasota through the middle of Lee County. They are called red tide algae blooms because the algae colony makes the water appear red.

"Not everything about the red tide is understood," said AccuWeather Expert Senior Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski. "The algae blooms sometimes show up when we have cold surges in the South during the late winter, early spring."

The algae becomes an issue when it settles on sea grass. Sea grass is the primary food source for the manatees. Once the algae is ingested, the manatees begin to have problems with their buoyancy. It may become difficult for them to lift their heads to get air.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2013/03/12/red-tide-algae-bloom-kills-record-number-manatee/#ixzz2NNuqfe2X