TECO Celebrating Manatee Viewing Center’s 30th Anniversary

APOLLO BEACH, FL – For decades, southern Hillsborough County has been home to some of the best manatee viewing in the world, thanks to the warm-water discharge canal near Big Bend Power Station.

Now, Tampa Electric will honor the 30th anniversary of its Manatee Viewing Center – and its 5 millionth visitor – during a free celebration on Thursday, March 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center is located at 6990 Dickman Road in Apollo Beach.

According to the Tampa Electric Blog, the timing of the event couldn’t be better for manatee viewing. Since manatees flock to the canal when the water temperature of Tampa Bay is 68 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, the recent cold snap should provide excellent manatee viewing.

During the celebration, visitors can explore the facility on ADA-friendly boardwalks, visit the rays touch tank, watch videos, play games for children, hike nature trails and more. These are all regular attractions at the Manatee Viewing Center, which offers free admission during its regular operating hours.

For more information on the TECO Manatee Viewing Center, visit http://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/.

Images via FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Flickr, used under Creative Commons