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Dive into the magical underwater world and celebrate Manatee Appreciation Day on March 27! These gentle giants, often referred to as "sea cows", play a vital role in maintaining our marine ecosystems and have a charm that is truly their own. Remarkably, manatees have been gliding gracefully through our oceans for over 50 million years! So, let's take a moment to show our respect and appreciation for these adorable aquatic herbivores. Together, we can make a splash and help protect their habitat while fostering love for all marine life!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1893</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Manatee Protection Law</div><div class='timeline-text'>Florida passed a law to protect manatees from being hunted due to concerns about population depletion.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1912</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Manatee Sighting Record</div><div class='timeline-text'>Recorded first manatee sighting in the United States in Florida waters, increasing public interest in these unique marine creatures.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1967</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Manatees Listed as Endangered</div><div class='timeline-text'>Manatees were officially listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act, heightening conservation efforts.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1973</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Manatee Adoption Program</div><div class='timeline-text'>Save the Manatee Club was founded, offering an adoption program which symbolically adopts a manatee to fund conservation efforts.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Manatee Appreciation Day Inception</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first Manatee Appreciation Day was celebrated to raise awareness about the species' conservation needs and honor their unique place in marine life.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2017</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Manatees Downlisted to Threatened</div><div class='timeline-text'>Manatees were reclassified from 'endangered' to 'threatened' showing that conservation efforts were making positive changes.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Visit a Manatee at the zoo or aquarium</h3><p class='facts-text'>Find a zoo or aquarium near you that houses manatees and spend the day learning about these fascinating creatures.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Participate in a beach cleanup</h3><p class='facts-text'>Help ensure manatees and other marine animals have a clean and safe habitat by participating in a beach cleanup in your local area.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create a Manatee-inspired art project</h3><p class='facts-text'>Channel your creativity with a manatee-themed craft project. Paint, draw, or sculpt an image of these gentle creatures to show your appreciation.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Donate to a Manatee conservation organization</h3><p class='facts-text'>Support organizations that are working to protect manatees and their habitats by making a financial donation or adopting a manatee.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Share Manatee facts on social media</h3><p class='facts-text'>Use your social media platform to share interesting facts about manatees and promote awareness about their conservation. It's a simple yet impactful way to celebrate Manatee Appreciation Day.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Awareness for these Adorable Creatures</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Manatee Appreciation Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about manatees and the threats they are facing. Manatees are often at risk due to loss of habitat, water pollution, and collision with water vehicles. This day reminds us to respect and protect these gentle marine mammals.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Opportunity to Learn about Marine Life</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Manatee Appreciation Day encourages research, education, and love for marine life. The information from the sustainable management of aquatic habitats benefits these "sea cows" and a host of other marine creatures, developing a greater understanding and respect for the diversity of life beneath the waves.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Fosters Support for Conservation Efforts</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>In celebrating Manatee Appreciation Day, we join global efforts in supporting organizations that focus on the conservation of manatees and their habitats. Whether through direct donations or the simple spreading of awareness, each action contributes to the cause of marine conservation.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Manatees, unlike Dolphins, are Herbivores</h3><p class='facts-content'>While commonly compared to dolphins in appearance, manatees primarily feed on sea plants making them eco-friendly marine lawnmowers helping control the growth of certain aquatic plants.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Manatees have Few Natural Predators</h3><p class='facts-content'>Due to their large size and quiet demeanor, adult manatees have limited natural predators. Their main threats are human-related hazards such as boat strikes and habitat degradation.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Manatees can Hold Their Breath for up to 20 Minutes</h3><p class='facts-content'>When a manatee is resting, it can hold its breath for up to 20 minutes. However, while swimming, they generally surface every 3-5 minutes for air.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Manatees' Eyes Have a Special Membrane for Protection</h3><p class='facts-content'>Manatees have a 'nictitating membrane', which acts like goggles protecting their eyes when they are underwater and enabling them to see clearly when they surface.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Manatees have Prehensile Upper Lips</h3><p class='facts-content'>The manatee's upper lip is split and is used similar to an elephant trunk, aiding them in gathering food and bringing it to their mouths. This distinctive feature adds to their unique charm!</p></div></div>
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