Jeff Corwin, a biologist and parent who has hosted television shows for almost 30 years, loves Florida manatees. In fact, the second episode of his first series featured the Sea Cow.
Now, Corwin is experiencing a full-sacre moment as he returns to Florida to investigate the mild giants of the Crystal River, and conducting a health survey following last year’s turbulent hurricane season and several years of massive manatee deaths. The data is based on the work of Dr. Bonbondi, a marine biologist who has collected health ratings for around 300 manatees since 2006.
“At this stage in my career, I filmed manatees all over the world, from Africa to South America to West Indian manatees, and 28 years later I became a complete circle in Florida,” Corwin said.
Volunteers collaborate to capture manatees and work together before getting a snapshot of each animal’s health, the day’s investigation is the focus of episodes in Corwin’s current series, “Extraordinary World.” Known for previous works on ABC’s “Ocean Mysteries,” Disney Channel’s “Going Wild” and “The Jeff Corwin Experience,” is a Florida-based episode that will be added to the latest show that debuted earlier this year.
An effort to better understand Florida’s sea cows is featured in Episode 11 of this show. The show aired on CBS April 26th and includes a segment of Crystal River’s Eelgrass Planting.
Each episode is tied to the Brady Hunter Foundation, a nonprofit focused on animal advocacy, wildlife conservation, environmental conservation, homeless aid, and empowerment as show presentation sponsors.
“The show features a third of conservation and wildlife. The other is advocacy for abandoned dog-like animals, and the other is a human interest element,” says Corwin. “The spirit of the series is a journey and adventure that connects human elements with animal and natural elements.”
In February at Crystal River, Corwin joined researchers from the US Geological Survey, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee, and the University of Florida to collect data and provide a snapshot of the happiness of manatees.
“It’s exactly a year and two major hurricanes have come quickly in the area. We know that issues of water quality, habitat loss, climate change, warming Florida and sea level rise all intersect,” Corwin said. “All great marriages of nations, federals and NGOs are working to ensure the survival of highly vulnerable species. We know that one bad winter, one hurricane, an algae, or one bad pollution event can be a beating away from extinction.”
After dozens of people worked to capture manatees on the weighted net, one by one, each animal was loaded into a boat and transported to a nearby beach, where a large forklift lifted the stretcher into the study area. Here, each sea cow had blood samples taken along with measurements, photographs and small digital tags inserted into the body.
“We can get incredible data from these manatees that we use to add to our models, strategies and management plans so that we can recover this species,” Corwin says. “They are wet canaries in coal mines. They are indicator species that tell you what’s going on.”
Corwin was joined by David Kanfer, chief of staff of the Brady Hunter Foundation, for the day of Sea Cattle Interaction.
“This show was an incredible way for the Brady Hunter Foundation and Jeff to partner in highlighting all these amazing stories that take place every day,” he said. “I think every episode has a message of hope. In every episode, you see normal people doing extraordinary things and making a difference. That’s really the foundation of the show.”
While living in the age of polarization, Corwin said that manatee conservation is one topic that everyone can gather together.
“People want them to thrive. They are protected. They are craving and they understand that people aren’t that necessary to knock them back,” he said. “We live in a very politically polarized world, but we see how people of all life leave their baggage on the land and take part in this project on one focused mission.
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How to see
“Extraordinary World” usually airs on Saturdays at CBS-owned and associated stations (times varying. Check local listings), including WKMG-TV in Orlando. The show is also available on Paramount+ for streaming.
