For the past few months, the Environmental Leaders Network has been working hard to bring our unique and imaginative idea to life: an environmental mystery event!

In collaboration with the University of Florida’s student club Theatre Strike Force, we transformed Pugh Hall into the scene of CSI Planet: Mystery of the Missing Manatee. Featuring interactive character performances and a trail of clues, this event challenged participants to step into the role of a detective to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of Bubbles the manatee while also learning more about these beloved creatures and the springs they call home.  

Let the Investigation Begin

The night began with opening remarks from Carla Ruffer, the Communications Manager of the Thompson Earth Systems Institute (TESI) and mastermind behind CSI Planet. The investigation was then kicked off by a captivating performance by Alise Cross, TESI’s Content Specialist, who played a concerned townsperson setting the scene and begging participants to solve the mystery and help bring Bubbles home. 

Detectives were given a packet of case materials and preliminary evidence to review. They then got the opportunity to interview different witnesses and suspects related to the crime. Theater Strike Force members were set up around Pugh Hall, portraying a variety of interesting characters with unique potential motives.  

• Dr. Evelyn Marsh – the marine scientist who has been spending a lot of time around Bubbles to collect different data on manatees. 

• Captain Jack Mercer – a boat captain and owner of an airboat tour business that is known for speeding and has hit a manatee before. 

• Crystal Rayne – a passionate environmental advocate who is trying to shut down the marina and opposes Mayor Bradford and poor actions from other townspersons.  

• Benny Gonzo – local fisherman with deep family roots in the area who has been caught illegally fishing on his boat before.  

• Mayor Tom Bradford – Mayor who promotes an environmentally friendly image but who also approves of controversial development projects near the springs.  

• Lenny Davis – local bait shop owner and landowner with water on his land, who is good friends with Benny Gonzo.  

Sleuthing Around  

With a variety of red herrings in the mix, detectives had to ask the right questions to narrow down their suspects and get closer to the truth.  

• Was it Crystal Rayne, whose boots matched the mysterious footprint found around the boat ramp, trying to take matters into their own hands to protect Bubbles?  

• Did Lenny accidentally hit Bubbles and move the manatee to the lake on his property, the last known location pinged by Bubbles tracker?  

• Could it have been Mayor Bradford, moving Bubbles away from the springs to clear the path for more development? 

After an hour passed, Alise took to the stage to reconvene with the detectives and hear their theories. Alas, the detectives failed to narrow down to a single culprit. With the clock ticking, they were given fifteen more minutes to ask hard-hitting questions and finally solve the crime.  

The Culprit is Revealed

For the final time, the detectives gathered together to get to the bottom of Bubbles’ disappearance. The top suspects – Crystal, Lenny, and now Benny – were brought on stage by Alise, where they each gave a short defense of why it couldn’t have been them.  

After a vote of who they thought was the most likely culprit, Benny finally broke under the pressure and revealed he was the one behind Bubbles disappearing. 

While fishing at night, he accidentally got Bubbles caught in his net. Being a big fan of Bubbles and supporter of conservation efforts, Benny panicked. Fearing the consequences and not wanting to leave Bubbles alone and vulnerable at night, he decided he needed to do something. After pulling Bubbles over to the boat ramp with his boat, he loaded Bubbles onto his boat trailer, covered the manatee with a tarp, and drove to Lenny’s lake, a place he was familiar with and where he believed Bubbles would be safe. 

Thanks to the collective effort of the detectives, Bubbles was found and safely returned to the springs.  

Thank You

A big thank you goes out to everyone who made CSI Planet: Mystery of the Missing Manatee a reality, from the Theater Strike Force members who brought characters to life, to the enthusiastic participants who brought their curiosity and thinking hats to the table!  

This event was also supported by The Swamp for the Springs, funded by the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.