Manatees migrate to power plant canal as bay water temps drop

With the recent arrival of the season's first significant cold snap, Florida's gentle sea cows returned in droves to Tampa Electric's "Manatee Viewing Center."

Hundreds of West Indian manatees – snowbirds of the sea, if you will – dotted the warm water discharge canal at TECO's Big Bend Power Station.

"Manatees are subtropical mammals," said Martine Dewit, a veterinarian with the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "They need waters of 68 degrees Fahrenheit or higher to survive; so when the temperatures drop they depend on the state's natural and artificial warm water resources.

Although they appear to have lots of padding, that's not the case, Dewit said.

"It's the way they're built," he said. "They don't have the insulation of whales and dolphins."

That's because manatees have a thin layer of fat and even though they look "fairly chunky," there isn't much to protect them from the cold, Dewit said.

"They seek warmer waters to avoid cold stress, which can make them sick," said Jamie Woodlee, senior environmental technician in charge of operations at the viewing center. "Right now I'd guess there are well over 200 in the canal."

The endangered sea mammals' annual migration to the viewing center is popular with area residents and seasonal visitors. During the holidays the viewing center was packed with enthusiastic crowds clamoring to get an up-close glimpse of the marine visitors as they lazed in the afternoon sun.

"This is incredible," said Lois Casey, who was visiting from Englewood for the first time with her daughters, Shannon and Lauren. Having previously visited a warm-water refuge in Fort Myers, she said she was impressed by the Apollo Beach operation.

"There are many more manatees here and such a nice, large walkway and viewing area," Casey said. "It's a great experience and it's free. There's not much families can do anymore for free."

Valerie Gettig of Valrico agreed.

"I've brought my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren here," she said. "This is such a wonderful facility."

That's good news for Tampa Electric executives. The company opened the viewing center -- it's a state and federally designated sanctuary -- 26 years ago as a good-will gesture. Several million people have visited since then.

Last year the viewing platform was expanded from 570 square feet to 1,620, giving more visitors an opportunity to watch manatees below. A display was added to the education center that provides viewers a chance to hear a manatee's chirping and squeaking sounds, as well as smelling its breath upon exhalation.

"Kids especially get a kick out of it," Woodlee said.

An exhibit also was added to visually demonstrate the various stages of a butterfly's life cycle. And a golf cart path is under construction to help move visitors from Tampa Electric's community events center to the viewing center when overflow parking is needed.

During last year's annual flyover by the fish and wildlife commission, a record 638 manatees were counted in the canal and immediately outside of it.

The Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center is at 6990 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach. For information go to www.tampaelectric.com/manatee or call (813) 228-4289.