Special Events
The Bishop Welcomes Two New Manatees
For Immediate Release
New Manatees Welcomed to the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat at The Bishop
Bradenton, Fla., March 2024 – The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature announced yesterday that two manatees have been transferred from SeaWorld Orlando to the Stage 2 Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat on Tuesday, March 5! The Bishop has cared for 48 rehabilitating manatees, including Tuesday’s arrivals:
“We will be monitoring the manatees closely as they acclimate to their new temporary home at The Bishop,” said Virginia Edmonds, Director of Animal Care at The Bishop. “Our goal is to help them grow over the next year with the hope that they will be able to be released next winter.”
Morado and Wicket are juvenile male manatees rescued between 6-8 weeks ago due to cold stress syndrome. Wicket, who was rescued from Bear Creek in St. Petersburg, also had a boat strike injury. Morado was rescued from Coffee Pot Bayou in St. Petersburg. Both Manatees weigh in the mid-300-pound range and will be considered for release in winter 2025.
“Our work to help rehabilitate manatees is such an important part of our identity here at The Bishop. We know how special it is for our community to be able to visit us and be part of that rehabilitation journey with us, so we’re delighted to see Morado and Wicket arrive and spend some time with us,” said Andrew Sandall, Chief Executive Officer of The Bishop. “The Museum is always an even more special place for visitors when we have manatees in the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, and we look forward to watching our newest two temporary residents flourishing under the supervision of our incredible Animal Care team.”
You can visit Morado and Wicket and watch their progress at the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205. You can also follow our recently released and satellite-tracked manatee, Ripkin, at manateerescue.org.
###
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat is a Stage 2 rehabilitation facility—a temporary home where manatees come after their initial critical-care needs have been met in manatee hospitals. This second-stage facility offers manatees the opportunity to gain exposure to natural foods and feeding strategies while gaining weight for their return to the wild.
Interning at The Bishop
Tyler Kadivar, a Rice University student pursuing a degree in Astrophysics, was our planetarium intern this summer. Over the course of nine weeks, Tyler worked on a variety of projects, including creating closed captions for our playback shows and developing live show programming. Tyler’s internship culminated in performing a live Star Talk to a full house (100 people!) on his last day. As his internship came to a close, he was asked the following questions:
- Why did you want to intern at The Bishop?
I wanted to intern at The Bishop because I’ve always loved planetariums and wanted to get more involved with what goes on behind the scenes. Since I’ve grown up seeing shows and volunteering at The Bishop, I knew it would be a welcoming and familiar environment making it a great place to intern and learn.
- What are you hoping to do with your degree?
After I graduate, I plan to attend graduate school for astrophysics. After that, I’m not 100% sure what I want to do. I’ve been considering working at a planetarium for a while, and my internship has only made me consider that even more since I’ve had such a great experience. Before I decide anything for sure, though, I want to explore a plethora of options to find what best fits me.
- Do you have a favorite museum memory?
If I had to pick a favorite museum memory, it would probably be from when I was in elementary school. I specifically remember watching a depiction of a supernova in the planetarium and being left awestruck. The fact that I remember that years later shows how much it affected me as a child and has shaped my studies since then.
Laser Light Nights Return to The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
Bradenton, Fla.–May 26, 2023 – Break out the big hair and acid-washed denim—Laser Light Nights are back at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature! Rock out to some of your favorite artists in The Planetarium between May 25 and September 2.
This year’s lineup includes popular legends such as David Bowie, Elton John, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Taylor Swift, and Queen, to name just a few. There are many more artists to experience, so come on down and see for yourself!
Shows take place every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7pm and 9pm. At $15 per ticket, shows are selling out fast, so we encourage everyone to purchase their tickets early.
Shows for the second half of the summer go on sale June 1 at 12pm. We will also be adding additional shows for popular artists. To view the schedule and purchase tickets, visit www.bishopscience.org/laser-light-nights.
Get ready to have an electrifying summer night filled with music and fun! Grab your family and friends and head to The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature to rock out to your all-time favorite jams!
###
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is the largest natural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast. In addition to permanent exhibitions, The Bishop features a constantly changing lineup of special exhibitions. The Museum is also home to the all-digital Planetarium, the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, and the Mosaic Backyard Universe. As stewards of science and nature, The Bishop inspires curiosity, builds connections, and creates impactful experiences.
The Bishop Welcomes Two New Manatees
Photo courtesy of Scott Odell.
For Immediate Release
The Bishop Welcomes Two New Manatees to the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat
Bradenton, Fla., March 2023 – The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature announced today that two manatees were welcomed to the Stage 2 Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat on Friday, March 17! They are the first animals to be cared for since the return of three female manatees to the wild last month.
“Tober and Ripkin are settling in,” said Virginia Edmonds, Director of Animal Care at The Bishop, “and as the weeks go on, we will continue to monitor their health and see how they adjust to their new, temporary environment.”
The Bishop has cared for 46 rehabilitating manatees, including Friday’s arrivals:
Ripkin is a juvenile manatee that was rescued in October of 2022 from Ruskin Inlet in Ruskin. Ripkin was an orphaned calf, suffering from a boat propeller injury when he was rescued. He was about 5.4 feet long and weighed 201 pounds. 5 months after rescue, he is 310 pounds.
Tober is also a juvenile male manatee. He was rescued in October of 2021 from Matlacha Pass, Cape Coral as a newborn calf. Tober was orphaned at rescue, measuring only 3.5 feet long and weighing a mere 44 pounds—manatees typically weigh 60 to 80 pounds at birth; today he weighs 370 pounds.
“The goal in the rehabilitation of the manatees in our care is to provide an environment where they can thrive, leading to a timely return to the wild.” said Mandy Choi, Animal Care Specialist at The Bishop.
You can visit Ripken and Tober and watch their progress at the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat located at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th Street West, Bradenton FL 34205.
###
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat is a Stage 2 rehabilitation facility—a temporary home where manatees come after their initial critical-care needs have been met in manatee hospitals. This second-stage facility offers manatees the opportunity to gain exposure to natural foods and feeding strategies while gaining weight for their return to the wild.
The Bishop Returns Three Manatees to the Wild
For Immediate Release
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature Returns Three Manatees to the Wild
Bradenton, Fla., February 2023 – The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature announced today that on Friday, February 17, 2023, Animal Care staff from The Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat located at The Bishop successfully returned three female manatees to the wild. The manatees were in second stage rehabilitation after initially being rescued and medically treated for cold stress syndrome.
“It was great being able to return Aria, Janus, and Iclyn back to the wild,” said Virginia Edmonds, Director of Animal Care for The Bishop. “We have reached the goal we share for every rescued manatee, help them recover and return them home.”
The manatees were returned to a warm water site they would most likely use during the winter, which is located at the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center on Apollo Beach with help from Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tampa Electric (TECO) staff, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Mote Marine Laboratory, and ZooTampa at Lowry Park.
Before her release, Aria, the youngest manatee at rescue, was outfitted with a satellite-linked transmitter that will allow researchers, biologists, and organizations like The Bishop that were involved in an aspect of her rescue and rehabilitation to monitor her health and movements. The public can watch her movements online at www.ManateeRescue.org.
During the short vacancy of The Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, Museum staff will take the opportunity to conduct routine scheduled maintenance to the facility. Due to the great need to keep hospital space available, The Bishop will have new short-term residents transferred from one of the three critical care centers soon.
###
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat is a Stage 2 rehabilitation facility—a temporary home where manatees come after their initial critical-care needs have been met in manatee hospitals. This second-stage facility offers manatees the opportunity to gain exposure to natural foods and feeding strategies while gaining weight for their return to the wild.
Manasota Florida Nursery Growers Landscape Association Beautifies The Bishop
John and Janyel Taylor, from Ralph Taylor’s Nurseries, are the leaders of the Manasota Florida Nursery Growers Landscape Association (FNGLA). This group of growers and landscapers participate in a charitable project each year, something sustainable that fits the mission of a charitable organization making a difference in our community. They pool their resources and manpower to produce the plants and equipment needed, create a design, then install with their people. “They were very generous to choose The Bishop for their annual project.” said Marti King, vice president of The Bishop’s Board of Trustees, “It seems to be a great fit for their mission and ours.”
The outdoor space behind The Mosaic Backyard Universe—The backyard behind the backyard—was a perfect fit. There was already a good structure for planting: grow tables, earth boxes, irrigation, timers, and gardening beds. FNGLA focused on connecting The Bishop’s team of educators with plants of varying texture and fragrance, succulents, and pollinators. They brought native and Florida friendly plants to help us create buffers and beautiful places along with touchable and smellable plants to enjoy. It is a great beginning for the plants that will continuously grow. The Taylors plan on staying in touch with The Bishop, as advisers, when the time comes time to expand, teaching staff about composting, worm gardens, and attracting butterflies.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature Announces New CEO
Bradenton, Fla. – The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature announced yesterday that Mr. Andrew M. Sandall had been appointed the new CEO of the Museum. An experienced Museum executive, Mr. Sandall will succeed interim CEO Charles Zajaczkowski and assume his new responsibilities on March 6, 2023.
Mr. Sandall is a longtime Museum professional, working in museums both in the united states and his native United Kingdom since 1992. Mr. Sandall is a former President of the Florida Art Museum Director’s Association and served on the board of the Florida Association of Museums for eight years. Most recently, Mr. Sandall has been the Executive Director of the Morris Museum in New Jersey, the state’s only Smithsonian Affiliate Museum.
“Andy’s 30 years of museum experience will have an immediate and positive impact on The Bishop’s operation’s and programs.” said board member, David Sessions. “We look forward to continuing The Bishop’s 76 years of success under Andy’s leadership”.
While at Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach, Mr. Sandall oversaw the construction of the Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, as well as almost ten million dollars of construction projects to rebuild the main museum’s West Wing, renovate the Root Family Wing, and modernize the museum’s entry courtyard.
“Andy is a natural leader, wise, genuine, personable and effective.” said board member, Marti King. “He will inspire staff, board and friends in the community to be their best for the Museum. He is the connector The Bishop needs for our next chapter.”
Mr. Sandall received his Masters of Arts degree in Museum Studies from the Leicester University and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Environment, Leisure, and Heritage Management from University of York St. John.
###
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is the largest natural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast. In addition to permanent exhibitions, The Bishop features a constantly changing lineup of special exhibitions. The Museum is also home to the all-digital Planetarium, the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, and the Mosaic Backyard Universe. As stewards of science and nature, The Bishop inspires curiosity, builds connections, and creates impactful experiences.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature Has Secured an Additional State Funded Grant to Extend Efforts for Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature Has Secured an Additional State Funded Grant to Extend Efforts for Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, home to the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, announces it has secured an additional state funded grant for $718,700 to be used in the expansion of its manatee care and rehabilitation program.
Bradenton, Fla. – The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature announced today that funds appropriated through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will provide supplementary assets for manatee rescue and rehabilitation. Upgrades include emergency transportation, veterinary lab equipment, and renovation of a newly leased facility in Myakka City. These additional resources will increase The Bishop’s statewide efforts by 10% to rescue, rehabilitate, and return manatees safely to their natural environment.
Wild manatees are facing more challenges than ever due to an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) affecting Florida’s manatee population. A UME is defined by the Marine Mammal Protection Act as a significant die-off that demands immediate response. Since 2020, more manatees were lost to the current UME than any other period in our state’s history and continues to be a persistent, driving force behind the effort to provide both critical emergency and short-term care of manatees.
“The second funding award we received will help us purchase much needed equipment for transport, manatee handling and care, and veterinarian equipment to help with manatee illness and injury diagnosis and treatment,” said Virginia Edmonds, Director of Animal Service at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. “Being able to expand The Bishop’s involvement in the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership through additional second stage manatee holding and acute care space is a commitment to manatees, manatee conservation, and our rescue and rehabilitation partners that we are grateful to support and participate in.”
The Bishop has been rehabilitating manatees since 1998 and was a founding member of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) in 2001. The MRP is a cooperative of nonprofit, private, state, and federal entities that rescue, rehabilitate, and return manatees to the wild.
###
The Bishop’s Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat is a Stage 2 rehabilitation facility—a temporary home where manatees come after their initial critical-care needs have been met in manatee hospitals. This second-stage facility offers manatees the opportunity to gain exposure to natural foods and feeding strategies while gaining weight for their return to the wild. You can help with the rescue and rehabilitation of Florida manatees; a monthly gift will help us feed and care for rehabilitating manatees until they are healthy enough to go home! You can become a manatee’s Bishop Foster Friend (BFF) by visiting https://BishopScience.org/BFF
The Bishop Announces Nearly $550,000 in State Funding to Expand Manatee Rehabilitation Facilities
The Museum’s plan to quickly renovate an existing facility has the potential to increase Florida’s capacity to rehabilitate injured and sick manatees by 10%.
Bradenton, Fla. – The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature announces it has secured $547,000 in state funding to expand its manatee care program, providing additional holding and acute care space in the statewide effort to rescue, rehabilitate, release, and monitor Florida’s manatees.
The Museum’s plan to lease, retrofit, and operate an existing facility in Myakka City, FL is part of a wider effort to assist as many manatees as possible and hopes are it will be operational before the end of the year. Through this grant, which was appropriated to The Bishop via the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the overall capacity of the statewide manatee care network could be increased by 10%, providing resources for both critical emergency care and short-term care of manatees.
These efforts are needed now more than ever in response to the Unusual Mortality Event (UME) affecting manatee populations, primarily on the east coast of Florida. A UME is defined by the Marine Mammal Protection Act as a significant die-off that demands immediate response. The current UME began in 2020 and continues to the present, making every effort to address the crisis more important than ever.
Additionally, The Bishop was recently approved for acute care status, which means that in addition to providing holding space for manatees that are not quite ready for return to the wild, they can now accept and provide treatment for rescued manatees in need of hospital care. While The Bishop has long been approved as a secondary holding facility, the authorization to provide acute care means that The Bishop will have the opportunity to make an even greater impact on alleviating the UME, being only one of five facilities federally authorized to treat sick, injured, or orphaned Florida manatees.
Hillary Spencer, CEO of The Bishop, shared, “The Myakka property and FWC funding are providing an opportunity for The Bishop not only to increase the number of manatees we can help, but also the way in which we help them. The work that Virginia Edmonds, our Director of Animal Care, the Animal Care team, and Museum veterinarian Dr. David Murphy are doing is impactful already, but this expansion will redefine The Bishop’s role in the animal care community.”
The state award of $547,000 is expected to cover the seed money for this significant renovation and its first year of operations. Roughly 50% of the funds will cover expenses related to the renovation and lease of the facility, with the other 50% covering new equipment, additional staffing costs, veterinary care, and other operating expenses.
The Bishop has been rehabilitating manatees since 1998 and was a founding member of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) in 2001. The MRP is a cooperative of nonprofit, private, state, and federal entities that rescue, rehabilitate, and return manatees to the wild.
While the Myakka Facility will not be open to the public for viewing, at the Museum in downtown Bradenton, the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat holds 60,000 gallons of water for up to three manatees rescued from the wild after they became sick or injured. This exhibition was remodeled in 2021 to resemble a cypress spring and allows above and underwater viewing opportunities, offering guests information about the anatomy and life history of manatees, including the challenges they face in the wild.
Report a Sick, Injured, Dead, or Tagged Manatee
Please call FWC’s Wildlife Alert Toll-Free Number at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922). Cellular phone customers: *FWC or #FWC
Please be prepared to answer the following questions:
- What is the exact location of the animal?
- Is the manatee alive or dead?
- Is the manatee tagged?
- How long have you been observing the manatee?
- What is the approximate size of the manatee?
- What is the location of the public boat ramp closest to the manatee?
- Can you provide a contact number where you can be reached for further information?
The above information is the most important you can provide; however, any additional information will be helpful.
How to Help a Stranded Manatee
- DO NOT RETURN THE MANATEE TO THE WATER!
- Do not touch or feed the manatee.
- Observe from a safe distance and keep other people away.
- Note the manatee’s condition. Does it appear weak, skinny, or have open wounds?
- Look for any obvious identification – tag or markings.
- Determine the manatee’s exact location for accurate reporting.
- Report the manatee using the above information.
New Special Exhibition Offers a New Perspective
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s New Special Exhibition Offers a New Perspective
Opening on April 12, Illumination: Seeing Beyond the Shell invites guests to see in a new light
A shell can be many things: a mollusk’s protection against a predator, a piece of jewelry, a makeshift spoon—it can even be a calcium supplement or an alternative to limestone mining to help fight climate change! But what happens when you take a closer look?
With the opening of Illumination: Seeing Beyond the Shell on Tuesday, April 12, The Bishop continues the celebration of its 75th Anniversary Year of Light with the stunning photography of Scott Odell — who is not only a talented local photographer but also a member of the Museum’s Staff.
This exhibition of macro photography literally takes a closer look at the shells in The Bishop’s permanent collection, showing what happens when you take an object and view it in a completely different way. “I just wanted to show people objects in a different light, and that anything can be viewed another way by just changing the light source, angles and color,” Odell said.
“Illumination can be used in both a literal and intellectual context,” said Tiffany LaBritt, Curator of Collections. “This exhibition asks viewers of the art to explore and connect to the images in different ways beyond just seeing a pretty shell.”
These images are the fortuitous result of the Museum’s temporary closure during the Covid-19 pandemic. Odell originally began his work with the idea of having an online exhibition where visitors to The Bishop’s website could continue to view items from the permanent collection.
“We have a vast collection at The Bishop to choose from and so the ‘playing with light’ project started,” Odell said. “By using different light sources, I was able to create shadows where I wanted them to be and lighting from behind gave them a totally different look. You might be surprised with the end results!”
Illumination: Seeing Beyond the Shell opens on Tuesday, April 12 on the Museum’s second floor. Visiting is included in the price of admission.
Imperial Volute, Cymbiola imperialis.
Image by Scott Odell.
Atlantic Hairy Triton, Monoplex pilearis.
Image by Scott Odell.