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of Eel found in the freshwaters One of the main human-made
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
WORLD OCEAN DAY our Greater Toronto Area beaches. mermaid hosts to help bring up
SEA OF VOICES 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
Mermaid Jacy visits the 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.
Toronto Zoo 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
to learn about American Eels 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
BY: MERMAID JACY ©2021 BY MERMAID JACY will most likely swim away when The American Eel will swallow Now in 2021, Fins Magazine and
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF TORONTO ZOO startled. Growing to a record- anything it can fit in its mouth, CILC are using Mermaids to battle
LOCATION: TORONTO ZOO breaking size of five feet, the and this includes plastic pollution. the destruction of natural spaces,
TORONTO, CANADA | TORONTOZOO.COM 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.
On June 8th, 2021, Mermaid Jacy The American Eel is a catadromous about the Great Lakes and the feasting on smaller fish and and not pollute her swimming
was greeted by Toronto Zoo staff fish and is classified as endangered animals that call them home every freshwater crustaceans. spots.
Michelle, Mary Kate, and Rachel in Ontario. Catadromous species year.
to share the joy of their zoo for spawn in saltwater, mature in The Toronto Zoo provides the
a global event on World Ocean freshwater, and return to saltwater The American Eel and other American Eel with a range of
Day. In collaboration with Fins for breeding. The American Eel can predatory fish play a key role in seafood for a healthy daily diet. The
Magazine and the CILC, the be found in the Great Lakes that the natural food web in the Great geographic range of the American
Toronto Zoo agreed to be part of border Canada and the United Lakes. Their dropping numbers Eel is as far north as Greenland and
Voices of the Sea, a free online States. The Toronto Zoo has taken could spell catastrophe for the as far south as Uruguay, spanning
event hosted by Mermaids from up the task of bringing awareness health of the Great Lakes and its almost the entirety of both the
around the world. to the disappearance of this Eel water. Mermaid Jacy and Michelle North and South American
from Lake Ontario. The Toronto discussed many fun facts about continents. The Toronto Zoo,
Mermaid Jacy made her way Zoo’s Great Lakes Program is a the American Eel and their home through its Great Lakes Program,
to the Americas Pavilion, home free educational series presented along with the online Zoom helps bring endangered species
to hundreds of different North either in-class or through a virtual audience. Surely many Canadians into the spotlight for their guests
American species. The star of the setting. It provides thousands of were just as surprised as Mermaid and students to learn about, as
show was the American Eel. participants with learning material Jacy to learn about this species well as how they can help.

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