TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Manateesreturning to TECO center

ADVERTISEMENT

BY YVETTE C. HAMMETT

yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: November 25, 2009

APOLLO BEACH - Snouts are already popping up in the waters near Tampa Electric Co.'s Manatee Observation Center as winter approaches.

Once the water hits 68 degrees, the marine mammals begin making their way from the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay to the warn water outfall of the power plant, some with calves.

Already last week, a mother and baby and a very large barnacle-covered manatee were among the 20 or so sea cows swimming within eyeshot of the platform overlooking TECO's outfall canal.

Just a few feet away, a newly renovated museum awaits guests to teach them about manatees, the perils they face, the food they eat, and how people can help.

"We did some upgrades over the summer and we're ready," center director Wendy Anastasiou said. "The museum hasn't been changed in 15 or 20 years. We've added some fun, exciting things, including some hands-on things to do for both kids and adults."

One of the new items in the museum is a manatee race, where two people get on what look like exercise bikes. Acting as the manatees, they must dodge boats and water scooters on a video screen to reach safety. There is also a manatee skeleton guests can work to piece together.

"Every year this place gets better and better," said Jean Schneider, of Apollo Beach, visiting the center with her friend Carol Frantz, of Fort Myers. "All of our company comes here."

"They've got a lot of interesting displays," Frantz said. "I love it and it's great I got to see a whole bunch of manatees."

The center has a long boardwalk where visitors can observe manatees, rays, all types of wading birds and other sea life. It also has a gift shop, an outdoor cafe and a new hurricane simulator.

November is Manatee Awareness Month, as Florida's lumbering sea cows make their way to warm-water sites for winter. One of the biggest draws in this area is TECO's Apollo Beach plant, which prompted the company to build the observation center 24 years ago.

Those traveling by water this time of year are urged to use caution and heed slow speed zones from now through March to avoid hitting a manatee. Part of the display in the renovated museum is of broken manatee bones, caused by collisions with boats and other vessels.

"If you think you see a manatee (while boating), give it plenty of room because it may not be alone," said Kipp Frohlich, leader of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission's Imperiled Species Management Section. "It may have a calf or be traveling with other manatees."

From now through March 31, TECO's discharge canal will be a No Entry zone. Idle Speed zones are in effect in the plant's general vicinity.

The Manatee Viewing Center is located at the west end of Apollo Beach Boulevard. It is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 1 through April 15. (The center is closed Thanksgiving, at 3 p.m. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Easter.)

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 627-4763.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT