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Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center
Great Florida Birding Trail site

drawing of wildlife

Description:
This site is located along a warm-water discharge canal of Tampa Electric Company's generating plant on Tampa Bay. It was designated a state manatee sanctuary in 1986 and features a new environmental education building with exhibits on manatees and their habitat. This site is seasonal, so please call ahead for hours and access dates.

Watchable wildlife:
Walk out on the platform over the shallow canal to get a good look at manatees, tarpon, catfish, snook, and mullet. There is also a boardwalk that passes through the mangroves along the canal where you might see fiddler crabs and other wildlife among the roots.

Ownership:
Tampa Electric Company

Contact:
 (813) 228-4289

Directions:
Take Interstate 75 to Apollo Beach, turn west on Big Bend Road. Proceed through the traffic light at U.S. Highway 41 to park entrance, which is at the corner of Dickman and Big Bend Roads.

Related Sites:
Other West Central Florida Wildlife Sites
Florida State Parks


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