Out of the many sights and attractions of Tampa Bay, the TECO Manatee Viewing Center is one of the most educational and interesting. Provided by TECO at their Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach, this free attraction benefits both manatees and visitors alike.
The manatees at the viewing center receive warm water circulated by the power station. This becomes a perfect refuge from the chilly waters during the winter months. Visitors receive an informative and fun experience. Not only are there workers roaming around to talk to visitors about manatees, but there is also the interaction of seeing a real life manatee. Leaning over the railing and waiting for a snout, tail, or flipper to peek out from under the water is something no museum or science lesson can beat. It is both an educational and memorable experience.
An example of what visitors at the Viewing Center can learn is manatees’ relation to boats: a rather negative relationship. Boats and manatees are often unaware of each other in the waters, causing many manatees to be injured by boats. Manatees have difficulties with hearing, and as a result, have trouble locating low frequency sounds, like the idling engine of a slow boat. For boat drivers, the issue is that it is difficult to see manatees, as they sometimes blend into the water. Although this is a prominent problem for manatees, there are proper solutions to it.
One thing boaters can do is avoid shallow waters, since that is where manatees are usually found feeding on seagrass. Another suggestion is wearing polarized sunglasses to better see manatees in the waters. And above all, if a manatee approaches the boat, look but do not touch. Observing manatees is a great way to gain knowledge about them, as the Manatee Viewing Center has proven. But by refraining from touching them, their protection can be ensured.
Visiting TECO’s Manatee Viewing Center is an educational and interesting experience where visitors can learn about protecting manatees and gain a memorable interaction with one of Florida’s native animals.