Florida's Fish Face Frigid Fate: Cold Kills Hundreds

Several hundred dead fish have been discovered along the shoreline of Lake Apopka, near Winter Garden, causing concern among park visitors and leading to warnings from Florida wildlife officials. The die-off, involving mostly tilapia, is a direct result of recent unusually cold weather that induced cold stress in the fish populations.

This incident at Lake Apopka, a body of water that has undergone extensive restoration, has raised alarm. State wildlife officials have confirmed that February's cold snaps weakened the fish, leading to their deaths. They also noted that cold-stressed fish may die even after temperatures rise, and over 450 fish kill reports have been received statewide since February 1.

Officials emphasize that the event is weather-related and not due to pollution. While tilapia are non-native, their absence can have short-term ecological effects. Similar phenomena, like iguanas falling from trees due to cold, have occurred recently. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission advises the public to report fish kills and avoid handling dead wildlife.