Akron Zoo

Happy World Ocean Day! The ocean makes up about 70% of the earth's surface, so it's important that we all do our part to keep it clean. How can you help?

- Sort your waste into trash, recyclables and compostable materials
- Keep your storm drains clear of debris
- Participate in local river cleanups, not only to keep our local waterways clean, but to prevent trash from flowing into Lake Erie and other large bodies of water

There are so many reasons to be hopeful about the ocean's future. Over the last few years, scientists have taken inspiration from the animal kingdom for creative solutions to our microplastic pollution problem. Moon jellies, like the ones in the Curious Creatures area of the zoo, produce mucus that contains a protein that traps and filters microplastics. Lab-based trials suggest that jelly mucus is nearly 100% effective at trapping the smallest particles before they reach the ocean.