TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Manatee Viewing Center Opens For 2008-09 Season

File photo by KATHY MOORE (2003)

Three manatees surface for air at the Tampa Electric Co.'s Manatee Viewing Center's warm-water discharge canal in Apollo Beach. When the Tampa Bay water temperature dips below 68 degrees, manatees seek refuge in the canal. The viewing center, which is on the grounds of the Big Bend Power Plant, is open to the public Nov. 1 through April 15.

ADVERTISEMENT

TBO.com

Published: October 31, 2008

APOLLO BEACH - Manatee lovers can rejoice because Saturday marks the opening of Tampa Electric Co.'s Manatee Viewing Center's 2008-09 season.

The manatee flock to the warm-water discharge canal next to the center, at 6990 Dickman Road, when the Tampa Bay water temperature falls below 68 degrees.

The center, which is next to the Big Bend Power Station and is a state and federal manatee sanctuary, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The manatee viewing season will last until April 15.

For information, visit www.tampaelectric.com/manatee or call (813) 228-4289.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT