Cold has killed at least 5 percent of West Indies manatees this year , 280 in all . Wildlife official : " The cold is killing them off faster than we can get to the island and put out a blanket on it. " Manatee are already endangered , and 2009 known deaths were a record 429 . Marine biologist Andy Garrett says he 's never seen anything like this before . Necropsy lab official says she fears more may die in spring from lingering effects of cold .
Cold has killed at least 5 percent of West Indies manatees this year , 280 in all . Wildlife official : " The cold is killing them off faster than we can get to the island and put out a blanket on it. " Manatee are already endangered , and 2009 known deaths were a record 429 . Necropsy lab official says she fears more may die in spring from lingering effects of cold .