Animal Zone: Wait… Corals Are Animals? - Season 16, Episode 03

In Season 16, Episode 3 of AnimalZone, we journey beneath the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys to discover one of North America’s most extraordinary—and most threatened—ecosystems: its spectacular coral reefs.


At NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, host Arthur von Wiesenberger meets Dr. Katey Lesneski, Research and Monitoring Coordinator for Mission: Iconic Reefs. A coral scientist whose work has focused on reef ecology and restoration, Dr. Lesneski explains why these remarkable underwater communities are so important and the challenges they face from warming ocean temperatures, disease, pollution, ocean acidification and other environmental pressures.


Then beneath the surface is a breathtaking look at the reefs themselves. A kaleidoscope of corals, tropical fish and other marine life reveals an underwater world in which virtually everything is interconnected. Corals create the complex nooks, crannies and structures that provide food, shelter and protection from predators for countless creatures.


We also discover the ambitious work of NOAA’s Mission: Iconic Reefs, a NOAA-led, partner-driven effort working to restore seven important reefs within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to self-sustaining levels by 2040. Scientists and restoration partners are growing, planting and monitoring corals in an extraordinary effort to help rebuild the health, diversity and resilience of this vital ecosystem.


And protecting coral reefs isn’t only the job of scientists. Dr. Lesneski shows us how choices we make on land and in the water can make a difference—including something as simple as sun protection. Some sunscreen ingredients can be harmful to corals, while protective clothing and more reef-friendly sunscreen choices can help reduce our impact.


Filled with spectacular underwater imagery, fascinating science and an encouraging look at restoration in action, this episode of AnimalZone reminds us that coral reefs are far more than beautiful places to explore. They are living communities that support an astonishing diversity of marine life—and protecting them means protecting an entire world beneath the waves.

Uploaded on Aug 24, 2026 at 9:37 pm