Jamal Galves: Manatee Man
Species Unite
elizabeth novogratz
5.0 • 911 Ratings
🗓️ 19 August 2021
⏱️ 29 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
"It made me feel like I wished that I had some sort of a super power, so that I could just picked them up and take them somewhere safe. But unfortunately, I'm not strong enough to have done that. So what I did was decide, at 11 years old, that I was going to commit my life to safeguarding the species… that I'll do everything in my power." – Jamal Galves
Jamal Galves grew up in a small village in Belize that's famous for its Manatee population. When he was 11 years old, he saw a research boat near his home and got curious. He asked the scientists if he could tag along on their expedition, and for some reason they said yes. And, they let him come back the next day and again and again for next five years, until finally, when he was 16, they gave him a job.
Now, 20 years later, he is the program coordinator for the Belize Manatee Conservation Program at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute.
Jamal sees it as his life's mission to protect and save these gentle giants. Antillean manatees are a vulnerable species and their population is dwindling. They face numerous threats, from habitat loss, hunting, boat collisions, fishing gear, and natural disasters. Jamal's work provides science and education to conserve them and provides the data for establishing sanctuaries, reducing watercraft speed limits, and fighting poaching.
Jamal made a promise to the manatees when he was a little kid and not a day has passed since that he hasn't lived up to it.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Species, unite, unites. and up and take them somewhere safe. But unfortunately, I'm not strong enough to have done that. |
| 0:24.9 | So what I did was decided that 11 years well |
| 0:26.9 | I was going to commit my life to safeguarding the species |
| 0:30.2 | and I'll do everything in my power. |
| 0:48.1 | Hi, I'm Elizabeth Novogratz. This is Species Unite. For the month of August, we are asking you to join us in our mission to change the way that the world treats animals and become a member of species unite. |
| 0:54.6 | The benefits of joining are pretty awesome. |
| 0:58.0 | For a monthly donation of any size, even two bucks, |
| 1:02.3 | you will receive access to exclusive content, |
| 1:05.9 | outtakes, bonus podcast episodes, |
| 1:08.4 | updates and newsletters. |
| 1:10.4 | Priority access to all species unite events and a welcome pack from yours truly. |
| 1:17.0 | So go to our website species unite.com and click become a member. |
| 1:31.0 | This conversation is with Jamal Galvez, otherwise known as the Manatee Man. |
| 1:34.8 | Jamal grew up in a small village in Belize, |
| 1:37.6 | a village that's famous for its manatee population. |
| 1:41.0 | And when he was 11 years old, he saw a research boat, got curious, and asked if he could tag along. |
| 1:47.0 | For some reason, they let him, and they let him come back all the time for the next five years, |
| 1:52.0 | until finally when he was 16 they gave him a job. |
| 1:56.4 | Now 20 years later he is the program coordinator for the Belize Manatee Conservation Program |
| 2:02.8 | at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute. |
| 2:06.1 | He sees it as his life's mission to protect and save |
| 2:11.1 | these general giants. When I first learned about you I was just in awe of all that you've done and your story and also I just I know so little about manatees |
... |
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