Must read books

1. The Florida Manatee: Biology and Conservation by Roger L. Reep and Robert K. Bonde

This is the perfect book for anyone looking for the most comprehensive, current information on this fascinating Floridian creature.

Roger Reep and Robert Bonde have been at the forefront of manatee research for over 30 years: Reep is a neuroscientist and emeritus professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida, and Bonde a research biologist and scientist emeritus with the U.S. Geological Survey Sirenia Project.

This second edition was published in May 2021 and provides an entertaining and rigorous introduction to this remarkable marine mammal, including its intelligence, migration, communication and diet. Updated scientific research and the effectiveness of current conservation initiatives are discussed as well as the latest predictions for manatee survival and resilience in the future.

2. Florida Manatees: Biology, behavior and conservation by John E. Reynolds

Florida Manatees is a wonderfully comprehensive book dedicated to this iconic species. Published in 2017, it details all we know about the species, including the natural history, physiology and psychology of these gentle giants. It considers the impacts of our ever increasing human population and warns of the potentially catastrophic threats manatees face from climate change.

John Reynolds was a senior scientist and manager of the Mote Aquarium's Manatee Research Program and former chair of the US Marine Mammal Commission. His book imparts a thorough understanding of the species and is an invaluable tool to help educate the public about their preservation and conservation.

3. Manatee Insanity: Inside the War over Florida's Most Famous Endangered Species, By Craig Pittman

Renowned journalist Craig Pittman has penned the best in-depth history of the attempts to provide legal protection for the Florida manatee. His account looks back over 40 years of the state’s environmental policy, issues, and decisions; detailing the work of the environmentalists against intense pressure from boaters and real estate developers who see this marine mammal as an inconvenient hurdle to their profits and entertainment. In his words: “the battle over manatee protection has evolved into a war”.

Manatee Insanity is a journey from the very beginning of Florida's settlement through the first manatee studies to the current ongoing legal battles. Sometimes depressing, as so often money and politics overwhelm scientific and conservation efforts, his account nevertheless provides some encouragement for the future of the species, who’s only natural predator is man. This is a must read for anyone interested in species conservation in the US and globally.