RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — A polar vortex currently affecting large portions of the United States has brought about drastic temperature drops in Florida, prompting the state’s manatee population to seek refuge in warmer waters. This comes while the gentle sea creatures are still in recovery from a significant starvation incident that occurred several years ago.
In addition to using natural springs located inland, manatees have historically flocked to the warm-water discharges found at around a dozen power plants scattered throughout Florida. For decades, these beloved marine mammals have navigated these warmer zones, a route that is often passed down from mother manatees to their calves. There are public viewing areas near several power stations, including those in Riviera Beach, Fort Myers, and Apollo Beach.
Recently, many manatees have been gathering near the Florida Power & Light Company’s Riviera Beach facility. There, the company introduced the Manatee Lagoon attraction in 2016, which is a two-story, 16,000-square-foot complex open to the public free of charge. A family-friendly event called ManateeFest is set to take place on February 1 to celebrate these creatures.
“Manatees are a unique species here in Florida, serving as sentinel species that indicate water-related or environmental problems,” explained Rachel Shanker, the education manager at Manatee Lagoon. “They are often the first to react to changes in their environment, and thanks to their charming nature, they always catch people’s attention.”
This facility is accessible year-round, but the peak seasons for manatee visibility are between November 15 and March 31 when water temperatures in Florida can drop below 68 degrees, a condition harmful to manatees. While human-related threats mainly stem from boating accidents, their most pressing natural threat remains cold stress.
“The warm water produced during power generation attracts manatees, especially when temperatures dip,” Shanker mentioned. The bay’s ocean water is utilized for cooling the power plant, and no harmful chemicals are added, ensuring that the manatees are safe when they are drawn to the warmer waters released.
The number of manatees visiting the power plant has varied, but as of Friday, around 85 animals had been counted, according to Shanker. “While the manatees come to Manatee Lagoon for heat, our property lacks seagrass, so they typically leave to find food in other areas and return for warmth once they are full,” she added.
Data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission revealed that in 2024, there were 565 reported manatee deaths, similar to the previous year’s total of 555. Fortunately, these figures are significantly lower compared to 2021, when more than 1,100 manatees perished, mainly due to starvation as their primary food source—seagrass—was severely depleted due to pollution.
“The main issue arose in the Indian River Lagoon, where persistent algal blooms have caused significant challenges over the years,” noted Martine de Wit, a manatee veterinarian with the FWC. “These factors negatively impacted the clarity and quality of water, leading to major seagrass die-offs.” The Indian River Lagoon, located on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, hosts over 8,000 manatees, with around a third either residing or migrating through its waters.
To alleviate the death toll, wildlife officials resorted to temporarily feeding manatees lettuce after two especially harsh winters, and the resurgence of seagrass in those areas has contributed to declining mortality rates. “Seagrass is resilient, and it began to recover on its own, leading the manatees back,” explained de Wit.
While death rates have decreased in recent years, there has been a concerning increase in the number of deceased calves this past year. The malnourishment many manatees faced had temporarily stalled their reproductive capabilities, and now that food is more abundant, they are breeding in greater numbers. “Higher pregnancy rates naturally lead to some casualties among newborns,” de Wit clarified. “This trend reflects a rebound in reproduction following years of scarcity since 2020.”
On Monday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service dismissed the appeals from various Florida environmental groups to reinstate the manatee on the endangered species list. After being classified as threatened in 2017, the manatees will not be moved back on this list for now.
Although there are signs of recovery in Florida’s manatee population, de Wit emphasized the ongoing need for vigilance in conservation efforts to protect this vulnerable species. “We must always be proactive; the threats to manatees around the state are considerable,” she stated. “While things are looking more promising, active management and conservation are essential to ensure their future.”
