Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  A manatee was found dead along the southern shore of Wolf Bay near Orange Beach, Alabama, over the weekend. Researchers suspect the animal was killed by a boat strike. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Manatee Sighting Network received the report this past Sunday. The Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network, with help from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, recovered the animal south of the Intracoastal Waterway.

A necropsy was conducted at the DISL Marine Mammal Research Center on Sunday, August 16, 2026. Researchers found signs of severe trauma indicating a watercraft strike as the cause of death. The findings raised immediate concern among marine mammal scientists in the region.

"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."

The death may be linked to a second boat strike reported in the same area just one day earlier. Dr. Ruth Carmichael, Director of DISL/MSN and ALMMSN, said both manatees were likely part of the same group in 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 explained why mating manatees are especially vulnerable to watercraft. "When mating, manatees form herds that have difficulty evading fast-moving vessels," she said. "Each manatee death is significant to the population, and the loss of an otherwise healthy reproductive animal is truly unfortunate."

This case marks the sixth confirmed boat-strike death of a manatee in Alabama waters since 2015. Before 2015, no watercraft-related manatee deaths had been recorded in the state. Researchers have also noted a rise in manatee sightings and strandings in Alabama in recent years, indicating a growing presence of the animals in local waters.

DISL/MSN urges boaters along the northern Gulf Coast to stay alert, especially in rivers and shallow coastal waters where manatees often gather near aquatic vegetation. Officials recommend staying at least 50 feet away from manatees at all times and designating a lookout on board. Wearing polarized sunglasses can also help spot manatees just beneath the water's surface.

Anyone who spots an injured or distressed manatee is asked to contact the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 1-877-WHALE-HELP (1-877-942-5343). All manatee sightings can be reported to DISL/MSN by phone at 1-866-493-5803 or online at manatee.disl.edu. Additional information on safely sharing local waterways with manatees is also available at that website.