|
Nose to Nose
|
|
by Michael Wilkinson, TWO Advisory Council
What is it like to be nose to nose with an animal that weighs more than 1,000 pounds? I had the unique privilege to find out the answer to that question in December while snorkeling in Florida's Crystal River. The Crystal River is one of the winter habitats of the West Indian Manatee. When the water temperature falls below 70° F, the manatee seek out the warm springs found along the Florida coast.
It was a chilly December morning and the sun was barely up. The steam was still rising from the water when we started down the Crystal River. Our boat trolled along slowly, and everyone kept an eye out for the silhouette of a manatee or the puff of one surfacing to breathe.
Once we spotted a group of manatee, we cut the boat's motor and gently set the anchor. After observing them for a few minutes from the surface, we decided to join them for a swim.
As I swam near them, observing their movements and behavior, I found them to be quite curious. This was especially true of two individuals. As I floated along the surface of the water, they repeatedly came by to "visit" me. It seemed as though the observer was being observed as we looked into each other's eyes.
Manatee are wonderful animals to watch. Even though they are very large, they are amazingly graceful as they swim about. They slowly and quietly twist and turn in the water, as if performing a water ballet.
Once-in-a-lifetime experiences like this can leave you with an entirely different understanding of an animal. Unfortunately, encounters like this can also have a negative effect on the animals. Shy by nature, manatees are easily scared away from the warm water springs they need for survival by all the people trying to observe them.
Encounters like this can become a successful business. In the developing world, "Ecotourism" can even help stop poaching. The hunters often know best where rare animals are, and become successful tour guides.
Because the educational benefit is so important, scientists are studying how ecotourism effects wild animals. One such project is based in Belize. You can read more about the study of manatees and ecotourism by visiting the WPTI/WCS Manatee Radio Tracking website.
©2000
The Wild Ones
c/o Wildlife Trust
61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964-8000
Tel: 845.365.8337 Fax: 845.365.8177