A New Big Word: Biodiversity

We love the ocean for its 

BIODIVERSITY.

That means we can see the

Pretty coral

  Whales

 

Sea Stars

 

 Sharks

 Sea Shells

 

 

Colorful Fish

Birds

Sea Lions

 

 And Really Weird Fish

...and so many wonderful forms of life that are different from each other.

Sometimes we have lost Biodiversity in the sea.  But there are people who work to bring biodiversity back with 

MARINE RESERVES.  

Marine Reserves are like national parks (like Yellowstone National Park) but are in the ocean.

 

 

 

Dance With the Sea Lions

Let's boogie with this California Sea Lion!

This is Ronan--the first non-human mammal to keep a beat.

Ronan is a California Sea Lion.

Wouldn't it be fun to have a homework assignment that says, "Teach sea lion to boogie."

Entangled Sea Lions Rescued

Here's that big word again: Entanglement.  This time we can change the word to: Disentangled--or rescued.

Two sea lions near Monterey, Ca. took a dive in the salty water, maybe hunting for food, and were caught  (entangled) in fishing line that wrapped around each sea lion's neck and head.  Ouch! 

A special team of rescuers from the Marine Mammal Center near San Francisco, including a specialty veterinarian, found each of the entangled sea lions, and made a daring rescue.

  

Both sea lions had the fishing line successfully removed.  

Remember when you go fishing, even in your local lake, stream or river, to dispose of old fishing line in a proper way.  Many popular fishing locations have tubes to collect and recycle your fishing lines.  The sea lions will thank you!

Entanglement. A Big Word.

Entanglement.  That’s a big word.  It’s also a big job to rescue animals from the sea that are entangled.

A whale entangled in fishing net

Entanglement means that a whale, a dolphin or any other kind of sea life has been caught and is tangled in old fishing lines, fish nets, ropes, and plastic trash floating in the oceans.  Most entangled mammals die if entangled because they need to surface for air.  If their fins, flippers or tails are wrapped up in old fish nets, the mammal weakens and finds it hard to swim, dive, swim, dive—how many mammals eat and breathe.

A sea lion with a plastic bag around its neck

Sometimes seals and dolphins swim through plastic that is used to wrap boxes. The plastic ring gets caught around their necks.  As the animal grows, the plastic ring digs deeper and deeper into their neck.  Many die from choking.

There are people around the world who work to save marine mammals that are entangled.

What can you do to help entangled marine mammals? 

•        Learn more about marine mammals. Many Cub Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts clubs offer marine mammal badges.
•       Recycle plastics.  Better yet, reduce plastic use.
•       Say no to plastic bags. Bring your own reusable bag for shopping.
•       Volunteer with your family, friends, club or church group to clean up creeks, rivers or beaches where you live.
•        If you see a seal, dolphin or other marine life on the beach, ask an adult to call for help.  Be sure to not touch the animal.  Keep dogs away from the animal.