Mysterious Manatees

This labor of love shared by underwater photographer Glaser (coauthor, Alternative Photographic Process) and Reynolds (chairman of the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission and coauthor of The Bottlenose Dolphin) takes readers into the waters of Florida as well as other environs inhabited by manatees, also known as sea cows. These slow-moving creatures exist mostly in spring-fed or brackish waters. Reynolds sympathetically tells the story of the endangered manatee, from its origin to its environment, covering the West Indian manatee, the Antillean manatee (found in Brazil, Mexico and Texas), the Florida manatee, the West African manatee and the Dugong manatee (found mostly around Australia and New Guinea). Reynolds distinguishes each by environ, shape and size, then charts the mammals' rapid decline, mostly due to pollution and boating accidents. From there, he lists organizations that are funding and conducting research and gives compelling reasons to help preserve this rare animal. Glaser's 52 wonderful duotone photos make the book stand out. She snaps images of manatees nuzzling in Crystal River, Florida, or resting mummy-like in murky water. She shows them--many with scars from boat propellers or traps--swimming with tarpon and hiding below the surface of dark waters in Colombia.