Orange Beach, Ala. — (GSN) — A manatee was found dead along the southern shore of Wolf Bay near Orange Beach, Alabama, over the weekend. Researchers suspect the animal died as a result of a boat strike.

The report was first received past Sunday by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Manatee Sighting Network (DISL/MSN). The carcass was recovered south of the Intracoastal Waterway by the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network (ALMMSN) with assistance from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Necropsy Findings Point to Propeller Trauma

A necropsy performed at the DISL Marine Mammal Research Center on Sunday, August 16, 2026, confirmed severe physical trauma consistent with a watercraft collision.

"The animal had a series of deep lacerations on its back and right side, consistent with propeller trauma," said Mackenzie Russell, ALMMSN Stranding Programs Manager. "Other signs of internal injury and blood loss point to a boat strike as the cause of death."

Across the United States, approximately 100 manatees die by boat strikes each year, with the vast majority of historical data originating from Florida waters. However, as manatee ranges expand along the northern Gulf Coast, scientists warn that these dangerous interactions are increasingly occurring in local Alabama waterways.

Second Strike Reported in Mating Herd

This mortality may be linked to another boat strike reported in the same location just one day prior. Dr. Ruth Carmichael, Director of DISL/MSN and ALMMSN, noted that both animals were likely part of a single group traveling through the Intracoastal Waterway.

"A manatee injured by a boat was reported to the Manatee Sighting Network the day prior to this manatee being found dead," Carmichael said. "Both of these boat-struck manatees were involved in a mating herd of multiple manatees in the Intracoastal Waterway."

Carmichael emphasized that mating behavior heightens the risk for these marine mammals. "When mating, manatees form herds that have difficulty evading fast-moving vessels," she explained. "Each manatee death is significant to the population, and the loss of an otherwise healthy reproductive animal is truly unfortunate."

Growing Presence and Rising Risks in Alabama

This incident represents the sixth confirmed boat-strike death of a manatee in Alabama waters since 2015. Prior to 2015, no watercraft-related manatee deaths had ever been recorded in the state. Researchers attribute this shift to a broader trend of increased manatee sightings and strandings in Alabama in recent years.

Boater Guidelines and Reporting Information

DISL/MSN advises boaters traveling along the northern Gulf Coast to remain vigilant, particularly in shallow coastal waters and rivers near aquatic vegetation. Recommended safety measures include:

• Maintaining a distance of at least 50 feet from manatees at all times.
• Designating a dedicated lookout on board to scan the water ahead.
• Wearing polarized sunglasses to improve visibility of animals swimming just below the surface.

Anyone who observes an injured or distressed manatee is urged to contact the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 1-877-WHALE-HELP (1-877-942-5343). All general manatee sightings can be reported to DISL/MSN by calling 1-866-493-5803 or visiting manatee.disl.edu.