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Dr. Andrea Marshall of the Marine Megafauna Foundation will be sharing her experiences and work at saving three of the ocean’s largest residents — the whale shark, leatherback sea turtle and dugong.
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What is "megafauna?"

Guide to Saving Marine Megafauna
This word literally means "large animal." (Mega = large, fauna = animal.) Scientists define megafauna as any large animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period. To be classified as megafauna, an animal has to achieve an adult weight for at least 97 lbs (44 kg). This means most dinosaurs are classified as megafauna, as are woolly mammoths, modern horses, black bears, cougars, dolphins and even human beings, 

Some megafauna are (or were) so big that they actually had the ability to change the ecosystem in which they reside, such as causing deforestation through overgrazing or trampling the landscape. Because of their size, many megafauna have few natural predators. While this may make them seem impervious to harm, megafauna are vulnerable in others ways. For example, large animals require a lot more food to survive and could starve to death if these natural resources dwindle.

To start better understand marine megafauna and the challenges they face, download the student guide above or click on the animals shown in the photo gallery below. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page to read Dr. Marshall's blogs one three megafauna species and her analysis and suggestions for saving these large animals. 

Gallery of Marine Megafauna:

Great white shark
Green sea turtle
Scalloped hammerhead shark
Humpback whale
Manta ray
Harbor seal
Northern elephant seal
Orca
Blue whale
Whale Shark
Part 1: Whale Sharks

Dr. Andrea Marshall, one of the founding members of the Marine Megafauna Foundation, shares her experiences with the world’s largest fish — the iconic whale sharks.

Posted on June 20, 2016 

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Leatherback sea turtle
Part 2: Leatherback Sea Turtle

With a lineage going back to the dinosaur era, the leatherback sea turtle is a survivor in every sense of the word. In today’s blog, Dr. Andrea Marshall tells us how we can help it overcome today’s challenges in a changing ocean.

Posted on June 21, 2016 
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Dugong
Part 3: Dugong

Few people probably know what a dugong is, but for Dr. Andrea Marshall they are a fascinating marine mammal straight out of mythology and struggling to survive.

Posted on June 22, 2016 
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The Challenges
Part 4: Saving Marine Megafauna: The Challenges

Although their size and lack of natural predators make them seem invulnerable, Dr. Andrea Marshall reveals how marine megafauna have some special environmental challenges not shared by smaller animals.

Posted on June 23, 2016 
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The Solutions
Part 5: Saving Marine Megafauna: Solutions

For her final blog this week, Dr. Andrea Marshall shares her expert advice on how all of us can help save marine megafauna through everyday activities and environmental activism.
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Posted on June 24, 2016 
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About Oceanscape
The Oregon Coast Aquarium's Oceanscape Network is an educational program for youth designed to inspire curiosity in science, nature, conservation and outdoor exploration while providing valuable classroom resources for educators. MORE.
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