Posted on behalf of Dr. Sylvia K. Sikes MANATEES IN WEST AFRICA: ELEPHANTS' ELUSIVE AND RARE AQUATIC COUSINS by Dr. Sylvia K. Sikes Dr Sikes was born and spent her childhood in Kenya, East Africa, and was a wildlife enthusiast from a very early age. She became familiar with most species of Kenya's larger animals and also began at the age of five years to collect, rear and study beetles (Coleoptera). Her secondary education was at Sidcot School in Somerset, U.K. and then she took a degree in Natural Sciences (Zoology) at Cambridge University, followed by a Teachers' Diploma at London University. Her career began with teaching and lecturing in Africa in the Belgian Congo (now called the DRC'), Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria. In 1963 she joined a London Zoological Society's research team studying cardiovascular disease in wild animals, as their field worker in East Africa. This progressed to an intensive study of these diseases in African elephants and resulted in her London University doctorate, as well as her book The Natural History of the African Elephant'. After a brief stint with the Canadian Wildlife Service, she won the Guardian/Eyre and Spottiswoode bursary to take a yacht, from 1969 to 1970, to explore Lake Chad, West Africa, described in her books Lake Chad' (1972) and Lake Chad Versus The Sahara Desert' (2003).
From 1970 to 1977 she served as Consultant Zoologist (Wildlife) to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Benue-Plateau State, Nigeria. This was when she found her remit included manatees, aquatic cousins of the African elephant, occurring naturally within the area under her surveillance. This book describes her experience of those manatees. 108 pages with 68 of her own photos. Price £11 (including postage and packing). Available for purchase online at http://www.manatees.org.uk/
Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D. Visiting Assistant Professor, Georgia Southern University President & Co-founder, Sirenian International 200 Stonewall Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22401-2110 Email: caryns@sirenian.org or cselfsullivan@georgiasouthern.edu Voice: 540.287.8207 | Fax: 540.242.9196 Adopt a Mermaid Ambassador or Donate online at www.sirenian.org. The mission of Sirenian International is to promote the long-term conservation of manatee and dugong populations and our shared aquatic habitats around the world through research, educational outreach, and capacity building. Please remember us when budgeting for your charitable donations!