A recent polar vortex caused freezing temperatures across many parts of the United States, including Florida. These conditions led manatees, aquatic mammals vulnerable to cold stress, to gather at warm-water outflows from power plants and natural springs. Locations such as Florida Power & Light Company’s Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach have become popular sanctuaries. This public facility, established in 2016, allows visitors to observe manatees that can grow up to 10 feet in length and weigh 1,200 pounds. The colder months from November to March are critical for manatee survival, as water temperatures below 68°F can prove fatal.

Manatees serve as sentinel species, indicating environmental health. Pollution has devastated seagrass beds in areas like Indian River Lagoon, leading to widespread starvation. While habitat restoration and temporary feeding initiatives have reduced manatee deaths from over 1,100 in 2021 to 565 in 2024, challenges persist. Experts highlight the impact of malnutrition on calves and note the risks posed by boating accidents and habitat destruction. Conservationists have advocated for reclassifying manatees as endangered, though they remain listed as threatened. To ensure their survival, enhanced conservation measures, public education, and continuous management are deemed indispensable. The efforts aim to safeguard this species against future adversities and support the fragile ecosystems they inhabit.