BRADENTON, Fla. — Dead fish and foul smells have taken over the pond and connecting waterways in Bradenton's Palma Sola Park. 

The park, which is located at 7915 40th Ave W. in Bradenton, sits not far from Palma Sola Bay. Residents say the water started to change color late Saturday and by Sunday afternoon, a milky-white film had covered much of the pond and nearby creeks. 

On Monday, dozens of dead fish had collected by the edge of the water and roughly 10 vultures had perched in nearby trees. 

"It's an obvious sign that something not normal is going on," said resident Ben Breeze. 

 

As a third generation Manatee County resident, Breeze said he had never seen anything like it at the pond. The film in the nearby creeks was so thick on Monday afternoon they barely resembled water. 

"It doesn't seem like anyone is really doing anything about it," he said. "It really doesn't."

Bodies of water in the nearby area have struggled with water quality issues over the past few months as the south side of Palma Sola Bay has tested positive numerous times for moderate levels of bacteria, according to the Florida Department of Health. 

Manatee County's Environmental Protection Division was out sampling the pond on Monday. They have not yet commented on a possible cause. 

This is a developing story. We will update it as we learn more.