A polar vortex that has hit much of the U.S. with ice and snow has dealt a glancing blow to Florida and its manatee population.

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – Scientists say Florida’s most enamored marine mammal is starving to death, News 6 partner Florida Today reports. That includes 169 dead manatees (42%) in Brevard County. Because of COVID-19 rules, a state lab tasked with examining dead manatees has only been able to salvage and examine 30% of the remains. “This is not the usual type of animal we see.”Half of the dead manatees are adults, she said. To report a sick, injured or dead manatee, contact the FWC hotline at 888-404-3922, and press *7 to speak with an operator.

To the contrary, researchers were tracking more manatee deaths than usual this year. Brevard County far and away led the state with 143 manatee deaths by early December. Of the counties around greater Tampa Bay, Manatee saw the most deaths by Dec. 11 at 25, fifth in the state. “I don’t see that we’re in a position to be able to relax in terms of what the future holds for manatees,” Rose said. If you see an ailing manatee, the state asks that you call and report it to 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).