Endangered Mermaids: The Manatees of Florida

With its irresistible cuddliness and gentle nature, the manatee attracts lots of attention--which is fortunate, since with a population of just 2,600, the manatee's survival depends largely on the people (intrigued scientists and besottedJanson Video children) currently committed to saving it from extinction. Sharing an evolutionary ancestry with elephants (of all things), the manatee, a uniquely vegetarian sea mammal that reaches up to 15 feet in length and 3,000 pounds, seeks the tropical warmth of Florida's waterways, where (unfortunately) encroaching development, speedboats, and storm drains have taken a toll on manatee population. Filmmaker, nature photographer, and manatee-lover Jonathan Bird documents this utterly loveable creature and the current efforts underway to save it, from nail-biting neighborhood rescues from black widow-infested storm drains and rehabilitation at Sea World to scientific research and Floridians' efforts to educate tourists. Using a special "rebreather" device (instead of traditional scuba gear), Bird also captures rare close-up footage of manatees sleeping and nursing their calves. Warmly recommended. Aud: H, P. (A. Cantú)