Red TideWhat does it mean for

Florida’s wildlife?

CROW Visitor Education Center3883 Sanibel Captiva Road

Sanibel, FL 33957(239) 472-3644

www.crowclinic.org

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is a teaching hospital

and a visitor center dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art

veterinary care, research, education and conservation medicine.

CROW’s Visitor Education Center is open10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Open Saturdays January through April.

CROW is a 501(c)(3) non-profitorganization. Visit www.CROWClinic.org

for information about admisson, programfees and special events. Learn how you

can support the mission throughmembership, sponsorship and donations.

What do I do if an animal is affected by red tide?Time is of the essence! The sooner an animal receives

medical care, the more likely it is to survive. If you find an animal suffering from red tide, the first thing you should do is contact one of the numbers below.

Staff can direct you how to safely help the animal, or if necessary, such as for sea turtles or marine mammals,

send out a rescue team.

For all native and migratory wildlife, excluding marine mammals:

CROW: 239-472-3644 ext. #222For all wildlife:

FWC Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922)

For sea turtles or sea turtle nests:

SCCF Hotline: 948-SAVE-ONE (728-3663)

How do I tell if wildlife is affected by red tide?Here are some signs to look for if you think an animal may be affected:Sea and Shore Birds

Sea Turtles & Marine Mammals

Photo: Audrey AlbrechtSanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF)

• Uncoordinated/falls over easily• Unable to stand or fly• Generalized weakness• Head tremors• Unable to blink• May have secondary wounds

due to debilitated state

• Floating/unable to dive• Uncoordinated swimming patterns• Generalized weakness• Unable to lift head• Seizures or twitching• May have secondary wounds due

to debilitated state from boat strike or predator attacks

Funding for this brochure is provided by West Coast Inland Navigation District.

Photo: Audrey Albrecht, SCCFRed Tide

What does it mean for Florida’s wildlife?

CROW Visitor Education Center3883 Sanibel Captiva Road

Sanibel, FL 33957(239) 472-3644

www.crowclinic.org

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is a teaching hospital

and a visitor center dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art

veterinary care, research, education and conservation medicine.

CROW’s Visitor Education Center is open10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Open Saturdays January through April.

CROW is a 501(c)(3) non-profitorganization. Visit www.CROWClinic.org

for information about admisson, programfees and special events. Learn how you

can support the mission throughmembership, sponsorship and donations.

What do I do if an animal is affected by red tide?Time is of the essence! The sooner an animal receives

medical care, the more likely it is to survive. If you find an animal suffering from red tide, the first thing you should do is contact one of the numbers below.

Staff can direct you how to safely help the animal, or if necessary, such as for sea turtles or marine mammals,

send out a rescue team.

For all native and migratory wildlife, excluding marine mammals:

CROW: 239-472-3644 ext. #222For all wildlife:

FWC Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922)

For sea turtles or sea turtle nests:

SCCF Hotline: 948-SAVE-ONE (728-3663)

How do I tell if wildlife is affected by red tide?Here are some signs to look for if you think an animal may be affected:Sea and Shore Birds

Sea Turtles & Marine Mammals

Photo: Audrey AlbrechtSanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF)

• Uncoordinated/falls over easily• Unable to stand or fly• Generalized weakness• Head tremors• Unable to blink• May have secondary wounds

due to debilitated state

• Floating/unable to dive• Uncoordinated swimming patterns• Generalized weakness• Unable to lift head• Seizures or twitching• May have secondary wounds due

to debilitated state from boat strike or predator attacks

Funding for this brochure is provided by West Coast Inland Navigation District.

Photo: Audrey Albrecht, SCCF

In Florida,red tide is a phenomenon

caused by microscopic algae (plant-like organisms) called Karenia brevis that in high concentrations

can cause harmful algal blooms (HABs). These blooms may sometimes result in a reddish-brown

discoloration of the water. The algae contain a toxin that affects the nervous system (neurotoxin), which

is released when the algae break open (either by crashing waves or when ingested by an animal). The specific neurotoxin associated with red tide is called brevetoxin, and it has effects

on fish, birds, sea turtles, marine mammals, pets,

and even people.

Where does red tide come from?

Karenia brevis algae occurs naturally in the Gulf of Mexico, usually at safe levels

of less than 1,000 cells per liter of water. Blooms may form 10-40 miles off-shore, and winds push the algae toward the coast. In coastal waters, the algae

meets nutrient-rich run-off – this provides “fuel” that allows it to continue to grow and reproduce to harmful levels of more than 10,000 cells per liter of

water. Size and duration of blooms can vary depending on environmental conditions; however, trends show blooms are growing larger and lasting longer than in

previous years. Unlike some other algal blooms, it does not naturally occur in freshwater.

What is Red Tide? How does red tide cause fish kills and affect wildlife?High concentrations of the algae Karenia brevis can

be deadly for marine life including fish, sea birds and turtles, and marine mammals. Fish and filter feeders, such as oysters, crabs and other invertebrates, at the bottom of the food chain ingest and accumulate the toxin inside their bodies. The toxin is also taken-up by plants and can persist in these “bottom of the

food chain” organisms long after an active bloom has subsided. When those small fish/filter feeders and plants are ingested by larger predators (such as a

pelican or a green sea turtle), the toxin moves up the food chain. Additionally, large die-offs of algae result in a decaying process that depletes the surrounding water of oxygen, resulting in more animal deaths.

Can red tide affect humans?Yes, it affects people too! The toxin can become

aerosolized (when algae breaks apart in the waves and surf) and breathed in, causing respiratory tract

irritation (coughing, sore throat, watery eyes, sneezing are some symptoms). It is particularly dangerous if you have a pre-existing medical condition such as

asthma or chronic lung disease. People can also get sick by eating affected shellfish, causing neurotoxic

shellfish poisoning (NSP). Symptoms of NSP may include gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting,

diarrhea) and neurologic signs (headache, slurred speech). If you think you are

experiencing symptoms of red tide exposure, seek

medical care as soon as possible.

Photo: Audrey Albrecht, SCCF

Photo: Audrey Albrecht, SCCF

• Avoid walking your pet along the beach to reduce exposure to air-born toxin

• Don’t let your pet eat or play with dead fish or sea foam along the shore, as it can have more concentrated toxins than the water.

• Don’t let your pet swim in the water. If your pet accidentally gets in the water, rinse him/her off as soon as possible to avoid accidental ingestion of algae during grooming (such as licking itself clean).

• Seek veterinary care immediately if your pet is acting abnormally after possible exposure (vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, becomes uncoordinated, shaking/trembling, has a seizure).

Can red tide affect my pet?Yes! Here are some tips for keeping your pet

safe during a red-tide bloom:

Photo: Audrey Albrecht, SCCF

Helpful Resources:Current Red Tide Status and Maps:

www.myfwc.com/RedTideStatus

Current beach conditions: www.visitbeaches.org or

Call 941-BEACHES (232-2437)

Florida Department of Health: www.floridahealth.gov/environmental

-health/aquatic-toxins/index.html

In Florida,red tide is a phenomenon

caused by microscopic algae (plant-like organisms) called Karenia brevis that in high concentrations

can cause harmful algal blooms (HABs). These blooms may sometimes result in a reddish-brown

discoloration of the water. The algae contain a toxin that affects the nervous system (neurotoxin), which

is released when the algae break open (either by crashing waves or when ingested by an animal). The specific neurotoxin associated with red tide is called brevetoxin, and it has effects

on fish, birds, sea turtles, marine mammals, pets,

and even people.

Where does red tide come from?

Karenia brevis algae occurs naturally in the Gulf of Mexico, usually at safe levels

of less than 1,000 cells per liter of water. Blooms may form 10-40 miles off-shore, and winds push the algae toward the coast. In coastal waters, the algae

meets nutrient-rich run-off – this provides “fuel” that allows it to continue to grow and reproduce to harmful levels of more than 10,000 cells per liter of

water. Size and duration of blooms can vary depending on environmental conditions; however, trends show blooms are growing larger and lasting longer than in

previous years. Unlike some other algal blooms, it does not naturally occur in freshwater.

What is Red Tide? How does red tide cause fish kills and affect wildlife?High concentrations of the algae Karenia brevis can

be deadly for marine life including fish, sea birds and turtles, and marine mammals. Fish and filter feeders, such as oysters, crabs and other invertebrates, at the bottom of the food chain ingest and accumulate the toxin inside their bodies. The toxin is also taken-up by plants and can persist in these “bottom of the

food chain” organisms long after an active bloom has subsided. When those small fish/filter feeders and plants are ingested by larger predators (such as a

pelican or a green sea turtle), the toxin moves up the food chain. Additionally, large die-offs of algae result in a decaying process that depletes the surrounding water of oxygen, resulting in more animal deaths.

Can red tide affect humans?Yes, it affects people too! The toxin can become

aerosolized (when algae breaks apart in the waves and surf) and breathed in, causing respiratory tract

irritation (coughing, sore throat, watery eyes, sneezing are some symptoms). It is particularly dangerous if you have a pre-existing medical condition such as

asthma or chronic lung disease. People can also get sick by eating affected shellfish, causing neurotoxic

shellfish poisoning (NSP). Symptoms of NSP may include gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting,

diarrhea) and neurologic signs (headache, slurred speech). If you think you are

experiencing symptoms of red tide exposure, seek

medical care as soon as possible.

Photo: Audrey Albrecht, SCCF

Photo: Audrey Albrecht, SCCF

• Avoid walking your pet along the beach to reduce exposure to air-born toxin

• Don’t let your pet eat or play with dead fish or sea foam along the shore, as it can have more concentrated toxins than the water.

• Don’t let your pet swim in the water. If your pet accidentally gets in the water, rinse him/her off as soon as possible to avoid accidental ingestion of algae during grooming (such as licking itself clean).

• Seek veterinary care immediately if your pet is acting abnormally after possible exposure (vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, becomes uncoordinated, shaking/trembling, has a seizure).

Can red tide affect my pet?Yes! Here are some tips for keeping your pet

safe during a red-tide bloom:

Photo: Audrey Albrecht, SCCF

Helpful Resources:Current Red Tide Status and Maps:

www.myfwc.com/RedTideStatus

Current beach conditions: www.visitbeaches.org or

Call 941-BEACHES (232-2437)

Florida Department of Health: www.floridahealth.gov/environmental

-health/aquatic-toxins/index.html