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Florida's Indian River Lagoon Is A "Killing Zone" Of Mass Animal Deaths: Report (VIDEO)

Mass Animal Deaths At Florida 'Killing Zone'
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Day after day, dolphins floated up dead, emaciated down to their skeletons. Florida's Indian River Lagoon, considered one of the most diverse ecosystems in North America, was in dire crisis.

And it wasn't just the 46 dead bottlenose dolphins. The casualty list is long and depressing: gone are 47,000 acres of sea grass beds, 111 manatees, and 300 pelicans, reports Fox News.

It's been described as a "killing zone" and a "mass murder mystery" that is perplexing biologists.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that scientists believe it may be due to one or several causes: fertilizer-laced stormwater runoff, polluted water dumped from Lake Okeechobee by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, climate change and effects on acidity, changes in water temperature and salt levels, and overflow from contaminated mosquito-control ditches.

The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University was counting on $2 million in state funds to study the dead bodies piling up at Indian River Lagoon.

Except Gov. Rick Scott vetoed the research project in May, writing in his veto letter “While some water projects may also contribute to a statewide objective, not all projects demonstrate an ability to contribute to a statewide investment.”

Since Scott took office in 2009, his smaller government approach has slashed regulation and conservation programs, reports the Broward New Times.

He even reportedly replaced experienced Department of Environmental Protection employees with people from polluting industries.

Scott also recently put the state's water quality under the DEP as opposed to the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

"The new changes would be significant because many are less-stringent than the bare minimum recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency and existing standards in Alabama," a former member of Florida's Environmental Regulation Commission told the Orlando Sentinel.

Meanwhile Marty Baum of the Indian Riverkeeper told Fox News, “The lagoon is in a full collapse, it is ongoing.”

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Before You Go

Save the Manatee Club Adoptees
Margarito(01 of20)
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Margarito was named after the Jimmy Buffett song "Margaritaville." He's reportedly very friendly, often giving those in the research canoe a gentle bump to say "hello." He lost his left flipper after become entangled in monofilament fishing line. And Margarito once followed a specialist investigating a deceased manatee, and stayed with him the entire time. (credit:U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project)
Annie(02 of20)
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Annie is an endangered West Indian manatee at Blue Spring State Park. She was rescued from the Halifax River near Port Orange, Florida. While rehabilitating at SeaWorld, Annie met another orphaned calf, Rocket. The two have been inseparable ever since.As Wayne Hartley, the Club's Manatee Specialist, put it:"Annie loves people, and Rocket loves Annie." (credit:Photo courtesy U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project. Artwork by Nancy Blauers.))
Howie(03 of20)
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Howie is notorious for his antics at Blue Spring State Park. He reportedly once knocked into a canoe of researchers dumping the people and their equipment. Now, whenever he sees a canoe, he bolts and issues a distress call, according to caretakers. (credit:U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project)
Georgia(04 of20)
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Georgia, who spends her winters in Blue Spring State Park, has had a tough life. As an orphan, she was released into the wild after rebailitaion with fellow manateee Clover, who was supposed to show her how to find food, etc. But Clover soon went rogue and left Georgia on her own.Caretakers also say Georgia's tag sunk underwater, showing puncture signs of a large alligator bite.Despite her woes, Georgia is a character; she once gave a gentle nudge to a swimmer trying to climb a dock ladder and she once swam around with someone's jeans in her mouth. (credit:Patrick M. Rose)
Ariel(05 of20)
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Ariel is an endangered West Indian manatee rescued from Lake Worth, rehabilitated at the Miami Seaquarium, and now lives at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.Caretakers say Ariel to a bit too hefty at 2,500, nearly twice the size of an average female mantee. They are trying to help her shed some pounds.Ariel is described as curious, lifting her head out of the water to hear conversations, and playful. She once pushed around a shoe of a park visitor that had fallen into the water. (credit:(Photo courtesy Patrick M. Rose. Artwork by Nancy Blauers.))
Betsy(06 of20)
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Betsy is Ariel's sister and shows a similar appetite for life. Caretakers say she holds out on carrots to wait for tastier cookie-like vitamin treats. She also reportedly "smiles" at rangers just like her mother Amanda. (credit:(Photo courtesy William Garvin. Artwork by Nancy Blauers.))
Brutus(07 of20)
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According to caretakers, Brutus likes to sleep in, often missing the early morning roll call. Once wake, he's quite social and shows a certain affinity for the female manatees. (credit:(Photo courtesy Walker Stanberry. Artwork by Nancy Blauers.))
Deep Dent (08 of20)
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Deep Dent is an endangered West Indian manatee at Blue Spring State Park with a "dent-link" scar from a propeller wound on his head. A tad on the shy side, Deep Dent is also known for his wanderlust. (credit:(Photo courtesy U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project. Artwork by Nancy Blauers.))
Doc(09 of20)
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Doc has his winter home at Blue Spring State Park. He's something of a ladies manatee, caretakers reports, often coupling with fellow adoptee Phyllis although he's also been spotted with Dana, Lily, and Lucille. Don't hate the player, hate the game.Caretakers also say he's protective of manatee recovering from injuries. (credit:Walker Stanerry)
Elaine(10 of20)
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At home in Blue Spring State Park, Elaine sadly lost two brothers to boat injuries and her mother Emma to unknown causes. She also lost a calf to a boat but now has 4 known calves and 8 grand-calves. (credit:U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project)
Elsie(11 of20)
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Elsie is known by the nickname 'Fingers' because her tail was mangle in a boat accident and now resembles a human hand. She has five known calves. (credit:Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
Flash(12 of20)
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Flash is one of the first manatees to arrive at Blue Springs State Park for the winter. He earned his name, caretakers say, because he is quick to startle and will swim away "in a flash" if disturbed. (credit:U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project)
Flicker(13 of20)
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This manatee got her name due to the scars on her back that resemble a flickering candle. (credit:Florida Department Of Environmental Protection)
Floyd(14 of20)
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Floyd only has half a tail after a boat strike. Caretakers note he is playful; he sometimes gives researchers a little nudge from behind, pushing them out of the water.He even nudges himself into other manatees in front of cameras. (credit:Walker Stanberry)
Lily(15 of20)
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Lily, who makes her winter home at Blue Spring State Park, often nurses orphaned calves. She even became a foster mother to a cold-stressed young calf named Foster. (credit:Walker Stanberry)
Lorelei(16 of20)
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Lorelei was the first manatee ever born and bred in captivity. She was born at the Miami Seaquarium to parents Romeo and Juliet. She reportedly does tricks like barrel rolls when accepting nutritional treats. (credit:Save The Manatees)
Robin(17 of20)
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Robin is the son of a manatee named Wonder Woman, and he shows some superhero-like courage as well. Caretakers report that when a group of manatees was startled by a loud noise, Robin could be seen calm in the middle of them, working his way back upstream. (credit:Walker Stanberry)
Rosie(18 of20)
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Rosie is a big manatee, weighing 2,500 pounds. Nicknamed "the babysitter" of Homosassa Springs, she is known for being gentle, kind, and maternal. She is also known for hogging the "Manatee Salad Bar," where the park's manatees feed. (credit:William Garvin)
Squeaky(19 of20)
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Squeaky was just born in 2011, and still stays close to mom Amber. Researchers once caught Squeaky trying to scratch her belly on the bottom of a canoe. (credit:Save The Manatees)
Vector(20 of20)
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Vector got his name because of the large triangular-shaped scar on the right side of his body. He spends his winters cozied up in waters near Tampa Bay's Tampa Electric power plant. (credit:Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
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