Southwest Florida just ended a two week cold streak. Manatees need warm water to survive. When water temperatures drop below 68° F (20° C), manatees leave their usual feeding grounds for warmer waters. So, Manatee Park in Fort Myers has been full of manatees.
Why is the water here warm enough for manatees?
When the water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico drops below 68 degrees, manatees move to the Florida Power & Light Company discharge canal at the Fort Myers Power Plant. The warm water discharged during the power generation process creates a refuge for manatees during the winter months from November - April.
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