Test feeding plan in works for starving Florida manatees

By CURT ANDERSON
Associated Press

St. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Normally giving food to wild animals is considered off limits. But now a dire situation in Florida with more than 1,000 manatees dying from starvation is leading officials to consider an unprecedented test feeding plan. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state environmental officials intend to unveil a limited proposal this week to feed the beloved marine mammals lettuce and other greens. They plan is to do so at one location along Florida’s Atlantic coast to test how it works. Conservationists say this is not usually done with any wild animal, but the situation has become such an emergency that it has to be considered.