Florida wildlife officials say cold stress was likely a factor in the deaths of 25 manatees in Lee County last week, but questions remain about whether an unplanned shutdown of a nearby Florida Power & Light power plant may have played a role.
Watch Fox 4’s Allie Kaiser push for answers on what could have caused the manatee deaths in Lee County:
Manatee deaths in Lee County raise questions about Florida Power & Light plant shutdown
“At this time, it is not yet known to what extent a recent, unplanned shutdown of a nearby Florida Power & Light power plant may have impacted mortality levels,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement.
The FPL plant, located just across from Manatee Park in Fort Myers, discharges warm water into the area — a resource manatees use during cold snaps.
Fox 4’s Allie Kaiser reached out to FPL about the unplanned shutdown. A spokesperson responded with the statement below:…