How the idea began...
It stems from an assignment I had as a film student at Indian River State College. We'd been given the task of doing a short documentary on a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) related subject.
As a wildlife photographer I had already spent more than 16 months taking pictures of manatees in the Indian River Lagoon. So, for me, it was a no-brainer when I pitched the idea to the group to do the film about the health of the local manatee population.
It was when we began the research that the seeds for "Saving Sirenia" were sown.
As a wildlife photographer I had already spent more than 16 months taking pictures of manatees in the Indian River Lagoon. So, for me, it was a no-brainer when I pitched the idea to the group to do the film about the health of the local manatee population.
It was when we began the research that the seeds for "Saving Sirenia" were sown.
Why now?
In mid-March of 2013, news reports surfaced about a massive die-off of manatees on Florida's west coast. In fact, more than 300 were lost from toxins found in a strong red algae bloom. When they ate the algae, it poisoned them in such a way as to cause the manatees to drown.
On the east coast, where Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is located, it seemed a similar issue was surfacing. More than 60 manatees died in the IRL, between January and April, 2013. However, "Red Tide" was not the culprit this time. This time it was another form of macro algae, which is also toxic to them.
As we dug deeper into the story the problem becomes a much wider, more complicated issue. The most serious threat now facing manatees is the loss of sea grass. Couple that with high-nitrate fertilizer runoff spawning algae blooms, boat traffic (which historically takes between 50 - 100 manatees per year) and habitat loss and you have the recipe for a very swift and massive extinction of manatees in the lagoon area... maybe even all of Florida.
On the east coast, where Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is located, it seemed a similar issue was surfacing. More than 60 manatees died in the IRL, between January and April, 2013. However, "Red Tide" was not the culprit this time. This time it was another form of macro algae, which is also toxic to them.
As we dug deeper into the story the problem becomes a much wider, more complicated issue. The most serious threat now facing manatees is the loss of sea grass. Couple that with high-nitrate fertilizer runoff spawning algae blooms, boat traffic (which historically takes between 50 - 100 manatees per year) and habitat loss and you have the recipe for a very swift and massive extinction of manatees in the lagoon area... maybe even all of Florida.
Find out more about the series director Rick Wood
Rick Wood is a hearing-impaired combat veteran, journalist, author and filmmaker. Click on the image to the right to learn more.