As a steady rain falls in the Amazon the world's largest rainforest a female Amazonian manatee swims through the flooded wetlands She is preparing to give birth Safe from predators and human interference in Brazil's Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve the manatee swims peacefully through the shallows using her Alippers to push off the spongy bottom She has timed her birthing well as the wetlands
are rich with new growth Dallis and Alemán grasses spring from the water's edge Purple blooms of water hyacinth dot the surface the plants air filled bulbs keeping the heavy bunches of leaves afloat The manatee cannot resist her favorite food and lifts her head from the water She takes a breath grabs a mouthful of hyacinths and rolls like a log while diving beneath the surface to munch her snack Then she relaxes and lets her body float ready for her offspring to arrive
