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of Eel found in the freshwaters One of the main human-made
Mermaid Jacy visits the
Toronto Zoo
to learn about American Eels
BY: MERMAID JACY ©2021 BY MERMAID JACY
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF TORONTO ZOO
LOCATION: TORONTO ZOO
TORONTO, CANADA | TORONTOZOO.COM
On June 8th, 2021, Mermaid Jacy
was greeted by Toronto Zoo staff
Michelle, Mary Kate, and Rachel
to share the joy of their zoo for
a global event on World Ocean
Day. In collaboration with Fins
Magazine and the CILC, the
Toronto Zoo agreed to be part of
Voices of the Sea, a free online
event hosted by Mermaids from
around the world.
Mermaid Jacy made her way
to the Americas Pavilion, home
to hundreds of different North
American species. The star of the
show was the American Eel.
20
WORLD OCEAN DAY
SEA OF VOICES
The American Eel is a catadromous about the Great Lakes and the
fish and is classified as endangered animals that call them home every
in Ontario. Catadromous species year.
spawn in saltwater, mature in
freshwater, and return to saltwater The American Eel and other
for breeding. The American Eel can predatory fish play a key role in
be found in the Great Lakes that the natural food web in the Great
border Canada and the United Lakes. Their dropping numbers
States. The Toronto Zoo has taken could spell catastrophe for the
up the task of bringing awareness health of the Great Lakes and its
to the disappearance of this Eel water. Mermaid Jacy and Michelle
from Lake Ontario. The Toronto discussed many fun facts about
Zoo’s Great Lakes Program is a the American Eel and their home
free educational series presented along with the online Zoom
either in-class or through a virtual audience. Surely many Canadians
setting. It provides thousands of were just as surprised as Mermaid
participants with learning material Jacy to learn about this species
fins-magazine.com
Mermaid Jacy calls home! Much problems the Eel faces today are
is still a mystery about this shy, dams, which provide barriers
elusive Eel, including how they to its migration. Dams provide
breed. How does the American hydroelectric green energy to
Eel know to make it back to the most of the eastern populations of
Sargasso Sea, where they were Canada and the United States. In
born for spawning? Children from addition, the dams are essential for
around the world had some great millions of homes and businesses
questions: How long do they live in to run on green, renewable energy.
the wild? Do they lose their teeth? Another way to help our Eel friend
So what can be done to keep the is personal water awareness.
barriers and help this endangered
Eel? Michelle brought up an Using less water during the day
engineering solution called a for showering, tooth brushing, and
‘fishway .’ A hydro set of stairs kitchen clean-up can make a huge
designed to run around the dam, difference for our fishy friend, with
supporting migrating aquatic life, whom we share the water.
makes it to upstream spawning
locations. Yes, this is a major The Sea of Voices online event was
engineering feat and can be a way for mermaids to advocate
expensive to implement, so what for animals and aquatic life that
can the average person do to help are voiceless. Animals cannot
our American Eel friend? vote, pick up trash, or protect their
homes; however, Mermaids can,
During the May 24th holiday with your help.
weekend, Toronto saw hundreds Mermaid Jacy discussed with the
of pounds of trash left behind on Toronto Zoo staff the idea of using
our Greater Toronto Area beaches. mermaid hosts to help bring up
When visiting in nature, take sensitive topics with children
nothing but memories and leave and adults, such as endangered
And that big question: how do nothing but footprints. While animals, water awareness, and
they know exactly where to go to preparing for an outing, remember pollution. Using the symbol of
breed? Even Michelle, our Great a garbage bag for personal trash the mermaid to create a safe
space while debating difficult
Lakes Program fish expert, didn’t collection and reusable cutlery.
have all the answers for us, but topics may be a way to engage
that makes the American Eel even Think about planning for garbage a new audience in the broader
more special. disposal and leave nothing behind. conservation discussion. In 1992,
Trash can be blown by the wind or FernGully used fairies to bring
This nocturnal, bottom-dwelling washed out by rain and find its awareness to the deforestation of
fish may surprise many; however, way into our lakes and streams. the rainforests.
it is not dangerous to people and
will most likely swim away when The American Eel will swallow Now in 2021, Fins Magazine and
startled. Growing to a record- anything it can fit in its mouth, CILC are using Mermaids to battle
breaking size of five feet, the and this includes plastic pollution. the destruction of natural spaces,
American Eel is a top predator Mermaid Jacy asked the boys and advocate for clean water, and
in freshwater rivers and lakes, girls watching to pick up their trash protect our underwater friends.
feasting on smaller fish and and not pollute her swimming
freshwater crustaceans. spots.
The Toronto Zoo provides the
American Eel with a range of
seafood for a healthy daily diet. The
geographic range of the American
Eel is as far north as Greenland and
as far south as Uruguay, spanning
almost the entirety of both the
North and South American
continents. The Toronto Zoo,
through its Great Lakes Program,
helps bring endangered species
into the spotlight for their guests
and students to learn about, as
well as how they can help.
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