JBZManatees

Mother manatee, calf among high number of sea cows requiring rehab at ZooTampa Zoo Tampa currently has enough room to care for about 17 manatees at a time. But they are working on an expansion project that would nearly double that capacity.

With Hurricane Ian approaching Florida, many people are asking how sea turtles handle hurricanes, especially our satellite tracked turtles who may be in the path of the storm. There is evidence that the turtles themselves weather storms just fine by moving into deeper water and increasing their time spent underwater. Adult sea turtles, especially leatherbacks, are capable of diving deep enough they are not affected by the rough weather!

The bigger issue with hurricanes is the impact to incubating nests and habitat. Severe storms can cause waves to become overly active, flooding sea turtle nests with water and essentially drowning the eggs. Other natural consequences of storms include sand erosion, often exposing turtle eggs to the elements, and loss of beach for turtles to lay more nests. Hurricanes are natural events that sea turtles have overcome for millions of years but when we add the human impact of our debris and pollutants in the water plus increased ocean temperatures from global warming, hurricanes can have an adverse effect on these already endangered animals.

Hurricanes can completely rearrange beaches and threaten beachside homes, which often leads to post-storm responses that are not favorable to sea turtles. These include an increase in seawall and beach construction projects that impact nesting and reproductive success.

Hurricanes are natural forces that, similar to wildfires on land, scour and redistribute nutrients, plants and animals, which ultimately results in a renewed and resilient ecosystem. However, with the loss of natural habitats and increases in human coastal development, they can also spell bad news for sea turtles.

This page is to help plant the seed of hope for the John Ball Zoo "Powers That Be" to consider creating a Manatee Rehabilitation area within the proposed, new, not yet created, incredible aquarium for Grand Rapids, Michigan!!!!!

To donate to John Ball Zoo, please click on the link: www.jbzoo.org/donate

After hearing that John Ball Zoo, our treasure right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was considering creating a nationally competitive aquarium, my goals instantly changed: 1.) Raise good, kind, strong, brave tiny humans that will change the world. 2.) Be as good of a Wife and Momma Bear as I can be. 3.) BRING MANATEES TO MICHIGAN. 4.) Get hired to work with manatees and other ambassador animals using my experience and certification as a teacher, "edutainer", and administrator. ;-)

Forgive the spelling and grammar errors in this image, but still some good stuff!

Could you imagine seeing a LAND BASED MANATEE??!!??

Admin Erin, here!

One of my big personal moments this year was earning a 5K from YesFit to help support the manatees! The medal is so beautiful, but the message and purpose is even better!

We can save the manatees and create lasting change to preserve the species for generations to come!!

After hearing that John Ball Zoo, our treasure right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was considering creating a nationally competitive aquarium, my goals instantly changed: 1.) Raise good, kind, strong, brave tiny humans that will change the world. 2.) Be as good of a Wife and Momma Bear as I can be. 3.) BRING MANATEES TO MICHIGAN. 4.) Get hired to work with manatees and other ambassador animals using my experience and certification as a teacher, "edutainer", and administrator. ;-)

Let's make this dream a reality: the goal of this group is to bring with the newly proposed John Ball Zoo Aquarium within the next few years.

(I also want a job working with , and other animal ambassadors, but we'll focus on one thing at a time!) 😉

Please consider donating to John Ball Zoo at their site: www.jbzoo.org/donate

Obtaining a manatee rehab facility is a dream at this point, but every single dollar donated helps our own zoo become a national treasure. Please help us achieve this; for the kids, for the species, and for the planet.

The day we are told that we are getting our own West Michigan manatees will truly be a perfect date, don't you think? :-)

Let's make this happen!!!

Please donate directly to www.jbzoo.org/donate !

The group hashtags are

Let's get some fundraising and discussion going on!

I will be making keychains and buttons for proof of certain levels of donations!

https://www.jbzoo.org/donate

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Let's get this dream going;

WE NEED TO BRING MANATEES TO THE PROPOSED JOHN BALL ZOO AQUARIUM in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2021/04/25/two-rescued-manatees-zootampa-transferred-columbus-zoo/7375638002/

Two rescued manatees from ZooTampa transferred to Columbus Zoo Two young manatees rescued last year have been transferred to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium as they prepare for a return to Florida waters.