Manatees are cold-intolerant megafauna facing increasing cold stress events as natural warm water refuges are disrupted, requiring active management to prevent mass mortality events.
Cold stress creates acute, progressive suffering in manatees: they become too cold to swim effectively, cannot maintain body temperature, develop secondary infections, and eventually strand in shallow water. Emergency response during cold events involves heated rehabilitation facilities managing dozens to hundreds of animals simultaneously. The closure of power plant warm water sites without planned alternatives creates foreseeable welfare crises. Long-term solutions require protection and restoration of natural spring flow systems and consideration of alternative warm water sources for manatee populations dependent on industrial sites.