When I was 7 years old, I begged my parents for a pet dolphin. ”Pretty please? We can keep it in the bathtub!” I pleaded. But alas, my dad pointed out that dolphins need a lot more space than a bathtub. They need a lot more space than just a swimming pool, too – they need a whole ocean!
Sadly, however, many dolphins are endangered in the ocean. Pollution and dangerous fishing gear have made the waters, where they used to roam freely, unsafe. Dolphins, like many other animals, are finding that their homes are no longer livable. It’s really sad, because dolphins are the most amazing creatures. They’re super-smart team players that travel in groups, fishing together and communicating through a complex system of sounds and whistles. They’re playful animals that love people and have, many times, saved them from shark attacks!
That’s why it’s so awesome that organizations like the World Wildlife Fund make it possible for me – and you! – to save dolphins and other animals by (so awesome!) adopting them. Now, it’s not adoption in the traditional sense; I still can’t put a dolphin in my bathtub. But by making a gift to one of these foundations, I am now a protector of a dolphin’s home. And hey – that means my tub is free for more bubble baths!
Ask your parent or guardian if it’s okay to adopt a bear, tiger, anteater, lion, manatee, gorilla, blue whale, chimpanzee, koala, great white shark, flamingo, emperor penguin, panda, arctic hare, wombat, walrus, pygmy elephant, anaconda, toucan, warthog, crocodile, river otter, or other wild animal. There are so many to choose from! And unlike a dog, you won’t have to walk your adopted octopus every day.
If you want to see these wild animals up close and personal, take a trip to your local aquarium or zoo. The money you spend on a ticket goes towards saving wildlife! You can have an adventure and be a hero. Let’s take a lesson from the dolphins and work together. If we make this a team effort, we can save the animal habitats!
Image credit: World Wildlife Federation