I suspect you are correct. The manatees have exceeded the natural limits of their habitat. The population has been growing for a number of years. It may well be that we are now seeing the results of too much success in protecting them.
We’ve seen that happen in so many places with different species, deer a good example. Then when they starve or suffer disease because of overpopulation relative to their habitat, the people who helped them over reproduce skirt any responsibility.
Typical TBT. They get a few things correct (population vs available habitat) and then it’s all leftist talking points along with the ever present “climate change” and rising sea levels crapolla.
Orlando would be under water now if their long ago predictions held water - pun intended. Not that Orlando under water would be such a bad thing now LOL. We left Florida 16 years ago - about 25 years later than we should have done.