Fla. nuclear plant a refuge for crocodiles

HOMESTEAD, Fla., Dec. 14 (UPI) -- A crocodile colony at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant in Homestead, Fla., has grown to about 400 of the big reptiles.

The National Wildlife Federation calls the sanctuary, which emerged about three decades ago, a "crocodile Eden," The Miami Herald reported Sunday.

The crocodiles use a 6,800-acre system of canals used to cool the power plant -- which the crocodiles are only too happy to use.

The Herald reported that Florida Power & Light established a monitoring program and began studying the movements, nesting habits, genetic makeup and growth of the animals.

The National Wildlife Federation praised the Turkey Point in its October/November magazine issue, crediting the nuclear plant for helping to save the once endangered reptiles.

The article said Turkey Point is home to about a fifth of the entire nation's crocodile population.