We just celebrated a major success in the conservation of the West Indian manatee, determining that it was no longer endangered but should be listed as threatened. “It’s like taking manatees out of intensive care and putting them in a regular care facility,” said Jim Valade, our Florida Manatee Recovery Coordinator. “They still need our attention without a doubt, but they are no longer in intensive care per se.
” We believe that the monarch is a success story in the making as people all over the continent work to conserve the butterfly. We take a closer look at these interesting species on the next episode of conservation connect.
Chat with Monarch and Manatee Experts
On January 20 at 2 pm EST conservation experts will talk about manatees and monarchs LIVE! Students have the opportunity to chat with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Visitor Service Specialist Ivan Vicente from Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and our Monarch Butterfly Biologist Tracy McCleaf from our National Conservation Training Center. Tune in to ask questions about wildlife species, careers and new technology being used to study our natural world.
Mark your calendars and join us at nctc.fws.gov/broadcasts
More Information on Manatees:
The West Indian manatee is a fascinating mammal that is sometimes referred to as a “sea cow.” They live off the coast of Florida and the Caribbean and have been spotted on the following National Wildlife Refuges.
Manatees have been seen on these National Wildlife Refuges:
- Ace Basin National Wildlife Refuge
- Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
- Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
- Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
- Island Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
- Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Savannah-Pinckney National Wildlife Refuge
- St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge
- Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge
- Vieques National Wildlife Refuge
Download the Manatee Activity Book
Become a Fan of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Download the Manatee Educator Guide
See how you can help through the manatee photo identification program.
Download the Lesson Plan
Live Manatee Cam (Available Nov 1 – March 31 only)
More on Monarchs:
Monarch butterflies are in trouble, they are threatened by a loss of native milkweed on which they lay their eggs and feed their caterpillars. In an effort to save the monarch butterfly, many are getting involved with ensuring that they have a place to live and food to eat by planting native plants such as milkweed and goldenrod. As an insect, they undertake one of the world’s most remarkable and fascinating migrations, traveling thousands of miles over many generations from Mexico, across the United States, to Canada. Learn more about monarchs and what you can do to help them.
Check out the Monarch Larva Monitoring Citizen Science Project
More on Conservation Connect
Conservation Connect is a new web-based video series, in partnership with the National Science Teachers Association, that aims to connect youth, ages 9-14, with the great outdoors & conservation careers. To check out other episodes, resources, and lesson plans, visit http://nctc.fws.gov/conservationconnect/.