An encounter with the mythological mermaids Quintana

It all started when my son told me that he had gone to film several cenotes to make a television program, and in a cenote that was difficult to access they were able to observe several of these marine beings in their environment. I asked him for the contacts so I could witness such a beautiful event, that’s how I contacted a young man I admire for his commitment to the environment, very good at diving in caves, Luis Leal who gladly gave us the information and even promised join us.

We agreed to meet on the road that takes you to Chetumal very early on Sunday.

With time to spare I fixed my snorkeling equipment as well as the underwater photography

We arrived on time for the appointment, this time I had asked my wife Cristina and my cousin Alejandro (who was one of the people who introduced me to the world of diving) to accompany me.

Upon reaching the site we find an open cenote, surrounded by mangrove swamps and very clear water. Without wasting time we put on our visors and fins and got into the water, which was very clear and with some small fish. We swam maybe 30 minutes trying to make as little noise as possible and having the view everywhere Suddenly, in the distance, a dark spot is distinguished among the mangroves, it was the unmistakable figure of a manatee, which quickly hid. Luis tells us to stay close and not move. We did not have to wait long for up to 5 of these beautiful and calm marine mammals to magically appear.

It was for me like being in a dream, because with each passing day it is more difficult to observe these beings.

Formerly they could be seen in almost the entire southeast of Mexico, their habitat is very extensive. They usually live in lagoons, rivers and estuaries and occasionally in the sea when they are migrating. Despite their large size and weight, they are very shy and totally harmless. They feed on algae.

Legend has it that when the Spanish arrived in America and saw these creatures nursing their young with such tenderness, they mistook them for the mystical mythological figures of mermaids, hence the title of this article.

Today it is an endangered species due to the invasion of its environment by man.

I look forward to one day living in peace with this and other beings who, because they cannot communicate like we did, feel the same pain when they die of suffocation trapped in the nets or are victims of a harpoon.

The place was so beautiful that at the end of the tour I remembered a phrase by Victor Hugo that says; It is incredible that nature speaks and the human being does not listen.

Alberto Friscione Carrascosa Tiburonpelon @hotmail.com