Toxic 'red tide' blamed for rise of manatee deaths in Florida

Experts blame a cold snap at the beginning of the year and algae bloom in the Gulf of Mexico for the fatalities

Manatees are dying in alarming numbers in Florida this year - the toll significantly increased by the "red tide" toxic algae bloom blighting large areas of the coast and threatening wildlife and tourism.

More of the large, slow-moving herbivores, also known as sea cows, have died so far in 2018 than all of last year, according to state wildlife statistics reported on Monday.