News

Adoptions directly support Save the Manatee® Club in its mission to protect imperiled manatees and their essential habitat.

Suggested Social Media Post: The holidays are quickly approaching—looking for an extra special gift? Look no further and adopt a manatee! No wrapping paper required! adoptamanatee.org @savethemanateeclub

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—July 25, 2024
Contact: media@savethemanatee.org, 407-539-0990

NATIONAL—This holiday season, Save the Manatee Club (SMC) is offering a unique opportunity to give the gift of comfort and joy by adopting a manatee. These symbolic adoptions not only make thoughtful presents for family and friends but also support vital manatee protection efforts, including research, rescue, and rehabilitation. The best part—no wrapping paper required!

With every manatee adoption, you’re not just giving a gift; you’re providing a memorable experience. Each adoption package includes a personalized certificate of adoption, a touching biography that shares the manatee’s unique story, and a comprehensive membership packet. However, the gift of adoption doesn’t end there. Your loved ones can continue to follow their adopted manatee’s journey year-round through newsletters, emails, and updates on social media, fostering a deep and lasting connection. With over 30 manatees to choose from, adopters can find the perfect match. Most of these manatees are studied by Save the Manatee Club’s research team in their winter habitat at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Florida. Others are monitored by research partners in the Tampa Bay area, at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, along the east coast of Florida, or even in Alabama. Every adoptable manatee has a unique name, a distinguishing scar or marking, and an interesting story.

One of the available manatees for adoption is Nick, who visits Blue Spring State Park during the winter. Nick, first sighted in 1977, is a testament to the resilience of this magnificent species. Despite facing boat strike injuries and habitat destruction, Nick and other older manatees continue to return to Blue Spring year after year.

The research team at Save the Manatee Club conducts daily manatee counts at Blue Spring during the winter, providing updates online about adoptee manatee sightings. In addition to identifying the Adopt-A-Manatee individuals, the team studies hundreds of other manatees in the spring. This valuable research contributes to a statewide database used by government and private partners to study manatee genealogy, behavior, and migration patterns.

By adopting a manatee like Nick, supporters not only contribute to decades-long research efforts but also aid in manatee rescues, rehabilitation, and releases. It is crucial to report any sick, injured, or orphaned manatees to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

What’s more, this thoughtful gift is accessible to all, starting at just $25 per year. A free educational 2025 manatee wall calendar can be included at any adoption level upon request, making the experience even more special and memorable. To make a difference for manatees this winter, visit savethemanatee.org/adopt or call 1-800-432-JOIN (5646). Orders must be placed by Tuesday, December 10th, to ensure arrival before the holidays.

###

Save the Manatee Club was established in 1981 by the late renowned singer-songwriter, author, and entrepreneur Jimmy Buffett, along with the late former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham. The Club is dedicated to safeguarding manatees and preserving their aquatic habitat. For more information about manatees and the Club’s efforts, visit savethemanatee.org or call 1-800-432-JOIN (5646).