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American Crocodiles Thriving Outside Nuclear Plant

Associated Press

   MIAMI -- American crocodiles, once headed toward extinction, are
   thriving at an unusual spot -- the canals surrounding a South Florida
   nuclear plant.

   Last week, 73 crocodile hatchlings were rescued by a team of
   specialists at Florida Power & Light's Turkey Point nuclear plant and
   dozens more are expected to emerge soon.

   Turkey Point's 168-mile (270-kilometer) man-made canals serve as the
   home to several hundred crocodiles, where a team of specialists working
   for FPL monitors and protects them from hunting and climate change.

   From January to April, Michael Lloret, an FPL wildlife biologist and
   crocodile specialist, helps create nests for the creatures. Once the
   hatchlings are reared and left by the mother, the team captures them.
   They are measured and tagged with microchips to observe their
   development. Lloret then relocates them to increase survival rates.

   "We entice crocodiles to come in to the habitats FPL created," Lloret
   said. "We clear greenery on the berms so that the crocodiles can nest.
   Because of rising sea levels wasting nests along the coasts, Turkey
   Point is important for crocodiles to continue."

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