Icy Temps Take Toll on Florida's Animals

(CBS/ AP)  Frigid temperatures across Florida drove hundreds of manatees to balmy waters outside a power plant, shocked endangered sea turtles off the coast and even sent cold-blooded iguanas tumbling from trees.

Across the Sunshine State, a cold wave pushing temperatures into the 40s or below left exotic fauna shivering.

More than 200 manatees lolled in 70 degree waters in a canal outside a Tampa Bay area power plant Thursday as crowds gawked on a viewing platform. Along with the sea cows, giant eagle rays and spinner sharks sought refuge in the warm waters.

"This is a spa for them," said Wendy Anastasiou, an environmental specialist for the Tampa Electric Co.

The manatees, many of which congregate near power plant outflows and natural-fed springs in the Tampa Bay area, weren't in immediate danger as they huddled near the Big Bend Power Plant in Apollo Beach.

Anastasiou said it's typical for the vegetarian mammals to seek warmer water when Tampa Bay waters dip below 68 F in winter.

During cold spells, the animals congregate in massive numbers, and gawkers "oohed" and "aahed" Thursday as the gentle giants - some weighing 3,000 pounds - occasionally surfaced.

"This is amazing," said Sharon Carpenter of Pinellas Park, who visited Tampa Electric's Big Bend Power Station on Thursday.

She wasn't so impressed with the forecast, which didn't discount flurries for parts of the state.

"I don't like it at all," said the Ohio retiree. "I dreamt about snow last night."

Across Florida, animals coped with temperatures that plunged way below normal.

Iguanas were seen falling out of trees in South Florida. The tree-hugging reptiles become immobilized in the cold weather shutting down everything but their hearts, causing them to lose their grip, reports CBS News correspondent Don Teague. Iguanas are not native to Florida; many are pets, or descendants of pets that were released into the wild.

Along Florida's Atlantic Coast, 93 sea turtles were found floating in a lagoon and experts said the cold water shocked their tropically inclined systems. Most were endangered green sea turtles and had to be sent to research facilities for care.

"We try to collect them and get them to a warm location," said Roger Pszonowsky, a volunteer with the Sea Turtle Preservation Society in Brevard County.

Freshwater turtles can go into mud and hibernate, he said, but sea turtles don't have that advantage and suffer from what he called "cold stunning."

And it wasn't just wild animals in Florida that needed warmth.

At the Palm Beach Zoo, workers sent 50 parrots and some monkeys indoors. They also set up heat lamps around the park to ward off the chill for other animals.

Local Video from CBS4 in Miami

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[curse914]

by stuwerb January 8, 2010 12:27 PM EST
Why focus any attention on the plight of the iguanas?? They are a non-native and invasive species. Florida would be better off without them. On the other hand, the plight of the sea turtles, manatees, and other native and endangered species is worthy of concern.

[][][][]][]

You are right. Since humans 9 times out of 10 are the ones introducing these new species, what should we do to correct this problem?

[pdxdave]

Cold kills more people and animals than warmth.

Global warming is a good thing, not a bad thing. The predictions of drought and famine are ludicrous. Every warm period in history has seen an explosion of plant and animal life.

Carbon dioxide is not pollution, it is PLANT FOOD!!!

[curse914]

Is clean air and water a bad thing?

[MikeG1953]

I love how the headline "Iguanas, Turtles, Manatees Among Wildlife Suffering from Frigid Weather" imposes human feelings on the animals!

"Suffering" ??? - the Iguanas and Turtles are cold blooded - they are not suffering, just surviving as cold blooded animals do. The Manatee is warm blooded, but I don't think it's reflecting on how cold and miserable it is. I think, if it is (or were capable of) giving it any thought at all, it might be simply swimming to where the water is warm - that's about the extent of it.

[curse914]

You are right, only humans suffer. Only humans have receptors for pain that God put their so he could punish us.

[brianp55]

Wonder how the Burmese Pythons are faring?

[dwilson59]

Brianp55

Not good just look at my new Boots

[stuwerb]

More on the iguanas -- all the ones that fall out of trees should be rounded up and slaughtered. Might be some good eatin' -- probably taste like chicken.

[displeased]

Actually, there are some communities, such as Boca Grande, that are trying to eradicate them.

[stuwerb]

Why focus any attention on the plight of the iguanas?? They are a non-native and invasive species. Florida would be better off without them. On the other hand, the plight of the sea turtles, manatees, and other native and endangered species is worthy of concern.

[Dgunner]

EVOLUTION IN MOTION,LIKE OUR CONSTITUTION IT IS CHANGING AND FALL OUT WILL BE DEATH TO MILLIONS IN 50 YUEARS OR LESS .

[BruceWilliams1]

Why this big article about animals in stress and no report about the people that have been killed by this cold?

[yermamma]

It's an interest story. This doesn't usually happen in Florida. Don't worry though, there will be enough human death stories to keep you warm and happy. Just sit tight.

[pdxdave]

Because putting a human face on it wouldmake people scratch their head and wonder if maybe global warming isn't a better thing than cooling.

Cold kills..... warmth provides a life-increasing environment.

Go start your old gas guzzler, and save the planet!

[ajvw]

its all george bush's fault!