Essentially Instagram has developed an artificial intelligence system that is “trained” to understand each concept and scan through feeds before negative content intrudes.  This new feature is called “restrict,” making it harder for bullies to “weaponize” the platform.

Subtler than blocking or reporting other users, which some users are very hesitant to do. the new restrict feature is similar to a one-way-mirror, as reported by TIME Magazine. This sensitivity screen gives Instagram users more control making it more difficult for bullies to target certain individuals. Restricted users won’t be able to tell that the user that has done the blocking is online.

What if a restricted user wants to tag you in a post? Well, Instagram has made it harder for restricted users to find you in the tag’s profile search (no longer recommending your profile as a pop-up) unless they remember the exact @username.

If you receive a direct message from a restricted user, Instagram won’t verify that their message has been read unless you choose to accept the DM request, and if you choose to reply, then the receiver must be unrestricted from your profile to leave a response.

Instagram will also notify commenters to rethink their words if comments are deemed offensive with the new “comment warning” pop-up feature.

It’s important to remember that bullying is actually challenging to define, especially when it comes to our fast paced and constantly changing culture. However, Instagram is doing its best to keep up with our new slang and changed behaviors with its new AI detection system.

In the upcoming weeks, Instagram will begin rolling out Restrict and the features should be available to all users before the end of 2019.

Positively Osceola would like to recognize Instagram for making a Positive Difference in combating online bullying and we’re hopeful that other platforms will develop similar anti-bullying features in the not too distant future!

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Here is a look of locations and times that will be open to guests

 SeaWorld Rescue – 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m

Visit the core of one of the greatest rescue organizations home base and meet members of the SeaWorld Rescue team including veterinarians  who work around the clock to provide life-saving care to . Learn about how the team functions, what happens during a rescue, and hear some stories about rehabilitated animals.

Zoological Commissary – 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Learn what it takes to feed all of the animals at the Zoological Commissary sometimes referred to as the Fish house. Learn how they develop and provide diets for sea turtles, manatees, sea lions, otters, fish, penguins, dolphins, killer whales, and all of the other species  that call SeaWorld Orlando home.  Its a must see for sushi lovers.

Animal Housing

Visit the homes of some of SeaWorld’s favorite animals. Check out the homes of the sea lions and Asian small-clawed otters that display behaviors in the infamous Clyde and Seamore’s Sea Lion High and seasonal shows. Meet belugas, seals, and walruses at Wild Arctic and learn how team members care for these amazing animals. Visit the historic facility, formally the clydesdale barn where SeaWorld’s animal ambassadors call home. Meet these amazing ambassadors and the people that care for them on a daily basis. Then Go above the surface of Manta Aquarium and meet the aquarists and divers that take care of the aquarium and feed the wide range of fish species that call Manta Aquarium home. (This is the only back stage location that is not ADA accessible).

Sea lion and Otter -10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Beluga and Seal -10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Animal Ambassadors – 11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Manta Aquarium – 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

It will be an unforgettable experience and the closes look to date that SeaWorld has offered to park guests. If you miss this event, there will be another Inside look event weekends in May 11th-19th.  Details of the May Inside look has not be released and it could be the same offering as in January or these could possibly choose different locations. This is an incredible opportunity to learn about the amazing work the SeaWorld does.

Photo Credit: SeaWorld Orlando

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While we tend to seek warm beverages at the local Starbucks, manatees seek warmer water. These mini migrations lead to large numbers of animals huddled together sharing each others body heat. More commonly manatees will also head up the river towards power plants who are releasing energy into the water resulting in a warmer location for manatees aggregation. The problem is the manatees sometimes try to fit into tighter spaces than their bodies allow causing them to get stuck. If manatees are unable to turn around or get stuck. Some of us still remember the rescuing of 19 manatees out of a storm water drain in Satellite Beach, FL in 2015.

The other danger for manatees during cold snaps is they can suffer from cold stress resulting from being in water that has drooped below 68 degrees Fahrenheit. This can lead to coagulation issues with their circulatory causing their blood to become thickened and lead to coagulopathy (forming blot clots). Manatees suffering from cold stress syndrome can also become emaciated, undergo a slow down of their metabolic rate, become more susceptible for bacterial and viral infections, have weakening immune systems,  and if not treated ultimately cold stress syndrome will lead to death.

If manatees become stuck or show signs of cold stress, then organizations such as the FWC and SeaWorld will come to the rescue. Its often younger animals that have the most trouble regulating their body temperature and have a greater risk of cold stress. FWC and SeaWorld are given approval to rehabilitate an animal but always have the intention of releasing that animal back into the wild once it is well, unless deemed otherwise by the state or federal government. Marine mammals are protected and require state and federal government approval to assist them.

If you find a manatee that looks to be sick or stuck call the location authorities: FWC -Call FWC’s Wildlife Alert Toll-Free Number: 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922), press “7” to speak with an operator or Cellular phone customers: *FWC or #FWC; SeaWorld Orlando – (407) 545-5550.

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One of the pluses for stargazers is that it will occur during the new moon, allowing for a darker sky. Those in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in Europe, could wind up seeing the most meteors.

During perfect conditions, anywhere from 60 to over 100 meteors per hour can be seen during the peak.

The Quadrantids peak is only for several hours, with the best time occurring between midnight and dawn.

Check the Time and Date website to see the best viewing time in your area of Osceola County.

The radiant point for the Quadrantids should be easy to find as it sits near the Big Dipper, one of the most well-known constellations in the sky, but meteors will be visible in all areas of the sky, not just near the Big Dipper.

The post Quadrantids Meteor Shower Will Treat Osceola to Between 60 and 200 Meteors an Hour Tonight appeared first on Positively Osceola.

While information is easily accessed at our finger tips, we don’t always use it to stay aware of what is going on in the natural worlds. There are roughly 100 million sharks killed every year. This is due to the large demand for shark products and the huge value of their fin for shark fin soup, a delicacy in some countries. Sharks are culled and barbarically killed for their fin. Fishermen will catch the shark, cut off the prized fin, and then throw the shark back into the ocean to bleed to death.

These practices coupled to the large numbers of sharks killed in by-catch by over fishing have caused shark populations to decline over the years. Of all of the known cartilaginous fish species (sharks and rays), 50% of these species are on the IUCN list of threatened or near threatened animals. Shark populations have declined by 70% or more across their ranges.

Coastal development, pollution and the change in ocean temperatures have also reduced shark populations. Coastal development reduces shark habitats by increasing pollution and degrading their environmental surroundings. Pollution affects both their habitat and their biology. Pollutants cause acidification of the ocean which messes with the pH having subsequent effects on a plethora of organisms. Global warming also contributes to ocean acidification by the incorporation of greenhouse gasses into ocean waters in the form of carbonic acid. Pollutants also pose a threat to shark physiology as toxins from the release of pollutants such as mercury, insecticides such as DDT, pharmaceuticals, and Organochlorides. Sharks acquire high levels of these toxins from bioaccumulation from eating prey that also contain these toxins. In addition to pollutants, shark populations have also declined from illness and death due to plastic pollution and fishing gear that was just thrown into the ocean instead of being disposed of properly.

Sharks are thought of as mean predators not worth saving. While it is not their intention to give sharks a bad name, the onset of Hollywood shark films beginning with Sharks leading to even Sharknado, have given sharks a negative perception of man eating machines. The reality is that majority of the reported shark attacks are a case of mistaken identity. The human was exhibiting behavior a boogie board or surf board that mimics the behavior and distorted shape of the shark’s prey. The reality is that sharks are a vital part of the ocean. As apex predators they have a key role in maintaining healthy fish populations, cleaning the ocean of dead carcasses, and even living in symbiosis with fish that make it their life long job to help keep the shark clean. Without, sharks, the ocean becomes unbalanced.

Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect sharks and other animals that call the ocean home. There are programs tracking the movement of sharks to learn more about their biology and migration patterns. We learn more about the biology of sharks from research at local aquariums. There are also many education programs that explain how these animals are an essential part of the ocean ecosystems. You can learn more about sharks and educate other on them and ongoing conservation efforts. You can even write to your local, state, and federal governments. You can donate and volunteer with shark conservation organizations, shark research programs, and zoos, and aquariums. We can be their biggest advocates and use social media to educate others about sharks and spread conservation ideas. If you ever see these animals being abused even if you’re just on vacation, speak out and contact the proper authorities, as many of these species are protected under local marine species protection ordinances. Be sure to write down key information to help authorities identify the individuals and recall exactly what happened.

We can also protect sharks by never ever use any shark product, such as oils, fins, and meat. These products can be found in beauty and nutrition products., The only exception might be shark teeth as sharks are always making teeth and lose teeth throughout their life. Shark teeth can be found on the ocean floor and beaches. Reducing seafood consumption of commercially fished seafood. If you like seafood, switch to fish that cone from sustainable practices such as fish farms. If you do like to go fishing, make sure you properly dispose of fishing gear and clip fishing line as close to the hook as possible if you catch a shark before you release it back into the ocean. As always, the less waste we produce reduces the risk of that waste making it to the ocean and other environments. By Reusing, reducing, and recycling, we can reduce the amount of trash and plastics thrown away, thus reducing the potential threats to marine species. By being active animal advocates and monitoring our actions, we can keep shark week going all year.

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Jellyfish have thousands of stinging cells called nematocysts tentacles. While they do pack a punch, jellyfish stings are often treated by first removing the tentacles with a blunt object. The area can be and rinsed repeatedly with salt water (not freshwater), vinegar, or even shaving cream. Treating with heat (not cold) for 20 minutes is recommended and treatment with hydrocortisone cream may be necessary to reduce itching and inflammation. In rare cases, If one experience vomiting, trouble walking, nausea, headaches, and seizures seek medical treatment by a professional immediately For the most part cases of jellyfish stings occurring at local beaches are treated on the spot by lifeguards.It’s important to remember that we are guests in the jellyfish’s environment and we need to always be aware of our surroundings at the beach. There are many jellyfish species that are active in the summer and actually even breeding during this time.

On another summer beach subject, shark sightings can increase due not only to increased numbers during summer, but also because there are simply more people on the beach that spot them. Please keep in mind that while most people have some fear of sharks, there is actually a better chance of getting struck by lightning than getting bit by a shark. Almost all shark attacks are a case of mistaken identity, as humans are not on their typically on their dinner menu.

Stay safe and enjoy yourselves this summer, but remember to give marine life and “all” wildlife respect… and a bit of space.

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