Recently, manatees have faced lots of challenges that threaten their species as a whole. These gentle giants, often called sea cows, are very helpful to many ecosystems. However, their lives are in jeopardy. Habitat destruction, watercraft collisions, and climate change. In Florida alone, manatee deaths have surged, with over 1,100 fatalities recorded in 2021, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

To help raise awareness for manatee protection, help us urge the Unicode Consortium to add a manatee emoji to the long list of digital icons. This small yet meaningful gesture could serve as a powerful symbol in worldwide efforts to conserve manatee populations. Emojis are a universal language, and the addition of a manatee emoji would allow people across the world to express support and raise awareness for the saving of these vulnerable creatures.

We propose that the Unicode Consortium, responsible for the standardization of an ever-growing list of emojis, recognize the urgency of this cause. By featuring a manatee emoji, they would not only acknowledge the plight of these creatures but also inspire millions to join the conservation conversation.

This petition is a call to action. Let us use technology to help protect our planet's wildlife. Sign this petition to urge the Unicode Consortium to introduce a manatee emoji and contribute to the global effort of raising awareness for manatee conservation. Every signature matters in making a digital impact that leads to real-world change. Join us in giving manatees the attention they desperately need. Please consider signing today. As a minor, I often feel like there is nothing I can do for causes I support like this. I love swimming with manatees, and I have before. It is an amazing experience, and it helps you realize just how much they  deserve our respect. The gentle nose boops, the quiet munching of greens. This may seem like just an emoji. And in some ways, it is. But also, it’s a rare opportunity to raise awareness for these kind animals. If you see a manatee emoji every time you scroll past your long list of emojis, you’re just like, “oh, yeah, manatees.” And each time you see more manatees, the more you think about them, and the more you make those subtle choices like posting a manatee emoji on a social media post, or maybe starting to use recycling, or even donating 10% of the funds from your garage sale or lemonade stand to a manatee cause. Please consider signing this petition.