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Hayley’s Wish Story

Hayley, 14, West Linn
Wish: to interact with the manatees

When Hayley’s wish granting volunteers asked her to think of her one true wish, she knew right away what it would be. As a girl with dreams of becoming a marine biologist, the 14-year-old wished to interact with manatees and get to know the endangered aquatic mammals up close and personal.

Hayley’s wish came true this November when she and her family flew to Florida, the natural habitat for the West Indian Manatee. The morning after Hayley arrived, she traveled to Crystal River, home of the largest herds of wintering manatees in the world. She observed manatees from inside her boat and then got a closer look by snorkeling alongside the gentle creatures themselves.

“I had soooo much fun getting so close to a manatee. I even got to rub one’s belly,” wrote Hayley.

Later that day, Hayley visited the Save the Manatee Club at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, where the Club surprised Hayley by adopting a manatee in her honor. At the park, Hayley even fed the manatees one of their favorite snacks, bell peppers.

Hayley’s wish continued the next day with a visit to Sea World’s manatee rescue and rehabilitation facilities. She participated in the Save A Species Tour, where she went behind the scenes to view the medical facilities for ill, injured, and orphaned manatees.

The trip ended with a magical experience at the Lowry Park Zoo. Not only did the zookeepers spend hours talking with Hayley in their manatee rescue facility, but Hayley bottle-fed orphaned baby manatees as well. The wish experience was truly a wish-come-true for this budding marine biologist.