Manatees Seek Warmer Water During Cold Snap
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) - A warning for South Florida boaters; beware of manatees who are seeking shelter in warmer waters near power plants and warm springs as the temperatures drop.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said Tuesday they will increase patrols and strictly enforce speed limits in manatee protection zones when cold fronts pass through Florida. That's when manatees are at the greatest risk of being struck by boats.
Agency officials recommend boaters wear polarized sunglasses to help spot the mammals.
Manatees are unable to survive long periods of time in water temperatures below 68 degrees and as temperatures drop, manatees seek refuge in warm springs and around power plants.
Two manatee "hot" spots in Broward are located at the power plant in Port Everglades and the other is off the South Fork of the New River, south of I-595 and east of State Road 441.Manatees use the Intracoastal Waterway as the main north-south travel corridor to reach these refuges while manatees heading inland will also use the New River and South Fork New River.
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