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Manatees Seek Warmth in West Palm Beach Hot Spot
31 Jan
Summary
- Manatees gather near a power plant releasing warm water.
- 160 manatees were spotted, nearing recent records.
- Cold stress is a serious risk for manatees in low temperatures.
As a significant cold front approaches, manatees in West Palm Beach are seeking warmth near the Manatee Lagoon. This educational center is situated close to a Florida Power & Light power plant, whose heated water outflow creates a refuge in the Lake Worth Lagoon.
On the morning of January 29, a total of 160 manatees were counted, a high number for the season, though just shy of recent records. These marine mammals depend on these warm pockets of water to survive when temperatures fall to 68 degrees Fahrenheit or below, as cold stress can be fatal.
Florida's manatee season extends from November 15 to March 31. Despite a population of over 8,000, manatees are still considered a threatened species, with boat strikes being the leading human-caused cause of death. Boaters are advised to go slow and use polarized sunglasses to help protect these and other marine creatures.
