Staghorn and Elkhorn Coral Are Functionally Extinct Off Florida, Researchers Say NYT | Top Stories Catrin Einhorn 24 October 2025 at 02:00 Elkhorn and staghorn coral are now functionally extinct around the state, researchers say, meaning they no longer play any significant role in their ecosystem. © Jason Gulley for The New York TimesBleached and dying elkhorn coral at Looe Key Reef, off Big Pine Key in Florida, during an ocean heat wave in 2023.