LEE COUNTY, Fla -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirms with WINK News that the red tide is not only killing small creatures, but manatees as well.

FWC says the toxic bloom killed nine manatees that were found in Lee County.

Two others were found in Collier County, and another nine suspected red tide manatee deaths in Lee County.

Scientists say this doesn’t necessarily mean the manatees died from red tide in those counties – that’s where they were found. But they say, it is a possibility.

This, as dead fish continue to be found floating dead in the water, and turning up along beaches and boat ramps.