United States

Turkey Point's Canals May Be Too Hot, Salty for Crocodiles

Wildlife officials say the hotter and saltier cooling canals around Turkey Point nuclear power plant are becoming increasingly inhospitable to nesting crocodiles.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife spokesman Ken Warren tells the Miami Herald the number of crocodile nests fell from between 20 and 25 over the past five years to about six this year.

The dramatic drop led federal wildlife managers to take a look at the canals which produce about a third of nests statewide.

The newspaper says officials will likely re-evaluate measures needed to protect the crocodiles, which rebounded significantly under a Florida Power and Light management plan.

It's just the latest problem for the aging canals, which began running hotter after the utility temporarily shut them down to increase power output and triggered an algae bloom.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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