911 MANATEE RELIEF / SAVE THE MANATEES
AN EMERGENCY INITIATIVE OF SAVE THE MANGROVES, SAVE THE OCEAN CAMPAIGN
Recent winters have had tragic consequences for manatees in the US. Thousands of manatees perished due to starvation, extreme ocean pollution and coastal erosion impacting their natural mangrove habitat and seagrass.
Manatees, dependent on seagrass as their primary food source, began dying in record numbers over the 2020 winter season and continue to perish.
Unfortunately, manatee mortality remains and rescue demands are an ongoing effort as pollutants destroy the natural growth of seagrass.
As an emergency initiative of our Save the Mangroves, Save the Ocean campaign, WELL/BEINGS is proud to partner with Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute to rescue and rehabilitate manatees in need.
We first learned of the manatee crisis through the eyes of a sweet little female manatee named “Gibbs.” Gibbs was found severely underweight at just 379 pounds.
BEFORE RESCUE
DURING REHABILITATION
After an emergency rescue and months of rehabilitation, Gibbs successfully gained 520 pounds.
“Our hope is that Gibbs begins to utilize the ample resources of the Ocklawaha River, a sustainable manatee habitat that is known to have ample [seagrass]."
Gibbs and all the manatees along the Florida Atlantic Coast are facing similar threats and still need our support. WELL/BEINGS together with Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute is tracking Gibbs’ recovery. monitoring her release success. CMA continues to conduct crucial research that will protect their mangrove habitat and save the manatees from extinction.
