I am currently in Crystal River, FL. as part of my project Giants of the Caribbean. For the next couple of days I will be shooting pictures for my book. My project is not-for-profit, all benefits of this project will go to local conservation projects. Today I swam for the first time with Manatees, it was truly amazing. Manatees are super inquisitive, intelligent and loving animals that do no harm. In the water, Manatees come close up and like to be rubbed on their bellies. Some even come up to hug you! I can’t wait to be in the water with these animals for the next couple of days.

Unfortunately human development has taken its toll on Manatee numbers, with today only about 4000 left in the United States. Even though numbers have increased of the last decade due to conservation efforts, the Manatees are still under threat, mainly because of boat traffic, fishing, habitat destruction, and… politics.

The West-Indian Manatee in other parts of the Caribbean is even more threatened, and in some places already extinct. Next week I will travel to Trinidad & Tobago where I will hopefully be able to find some of the last remaining Manatees.