Southwest Florida’s first cold front of the fall season is here and it’s just in time to remind us all that November is Manatee Awareness Month! This is the time of year when manatees are moving from their summertime feeding grounds into warm-water refuges where they will winter. “Florida designated November as Manatee Awareness Month to help remind boaters that manatees are on the move and to be manatee friendly by following safe boating guidelines and manatee speed zone designations,” said Virginia Edmonds, Director of Animal Care at The Bishop. “We’ve had a record number of manatee deaths in Florida this year, so anything we can do to ensure their safety and health is particularly crucial right now.” To help increase our capacity to care for these threatened marine mammals, The Bishop is seeking new BFFs — Bishop Foster Friends. Through this new monthly giving program, BFFs help support the ongoing care for manatees residing in our Stage 2 rehabilitation habitat, where we prepare manatees to return to the wild. The Bishop is currently caring for three manatees: Iclyn, Janus and Aria. Janus and Iclyn were suffering from cold stress when they were rescued. Aria was also suffering from cold stress but had been struck by a boat as well. “This year has been especially tough for manatees in Florida,” said Hillary Spencer, CEO. “More manatees have died in 2021 than in any other year in the state’s history — making rescue and rehabilitation programs like ours more important than ever.” |
5 Ways to Show You Care During Manatee Awareness Month |
1. Learn more about the Manatee Rehabilitation Program and Janus, Iclyn and Aria at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature 2. Boaters should follow all manatee speed zone regulations and designate someone as a marine life spotter to keep and eye out for manatees and other animals while you’re underway. 3. Grab your tiniest tot and click on the image to the right to learn about “Henry the Manatee” in this episode of Tales Under the Tree |
4. Get your tickets now to visit Janus, Iclyn and Aria in person at The Bishop! 5. Become a BFF today to help sustain the manatees in our care. If you join with us now, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar through Florida Power & Light Company’s charitable arm, the NextEra Energy Foundation, up to $20,000! |
Together, “lettuce” give manatees a brighter future! |
As the largest natural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature (formerly South Florida Museum) offers fun and engaging exhibitions and programs that interpret the scientific knowledge of Florida, the world and our universe. In addition to permanent exhibitions, The Bishop features a constantly changing lineup of special exhibitions — offering something new to discover with each visit. The Bishop includes an all-digital Planetarium — the only one of its kind on Florida’s Gulf Coast — the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, where we help rehabilitate sick or injured manatees for their return to the wild, and the Mosaic Backyard Universe, built especially for young children and their families. Our Mission: To inspire the joy of discovery and wonder for all ages through excellence in stewardship and engagement. Visit www.BishopScience.org for hours, info and admission details or call 941-746-4131. |
Adults 18-64: $23.95 | Seniors (65+): $21.95 | Youth (12-17) and College Students (with ID): $17.95 | Children (5-11): $14.95 | Children age 2-4: $8.95 | Children younger than age 2 admitted free with paying adult. Free Admission for Discovery Society Members | Florida Teachers and Active Duty military (with ID) | Museums for All participants |