01of 12Shawn Heinrichs for WildAidShe’s ready to go! Bo Derek and a team of boaters, experts and tourists fromWildAidwent diving with manta rays and whale sharks late last month off the coast of Cancun, Mexico.“It was such a personal, incredible encounter with nature,” Derek, 61, told PEOPLE. “I’m just so thrilled I got to be a part of it.”
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Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid
She’s ready to go! Bo Derek and a team of boaters, experts and tourists fromWildAidwent diving with manta rays and whale sharks late last month off the coast of Cancun, Mexico.
“It was such a personal, incredible encounter with nature,” Derek, 61, told PEOPLE. “I’m just so thrilled I got to be a part of it.”
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Derek has been on the board of WildAid for more than 15 years, taking trips around the world with the organization to help reduce the demand on wildlife trafficking. But this was her first encounter with whale sharks.
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04of 12Shawn Heinrichs for WildAidThe area in which the group went diving has the largest aggregation of whale sharks on the planet, according to Wild Aid.
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The area in which the group went diving has the largest aggregation of whale sharks on the planet, according to Wild Aid.
05of 12Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid"The entire experience was overwhelming, mind-blowing," Derek said.
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“The entire experience was overwhelming, mind-blowing,” Derek said.
06of 12Shawn Heinrichs for WildAidOf all the images from the trip, this was the one that stunned Derek the most.“Manta rays do this very graceful barrel roll but usually complete it so their back is to the surface again,” Derek explained. “This one went halfway, stopped and started sinking. I followed him down as far as I could … he was just so still, and I wasn’t disturbing him. It was just the two of us in this deep, dark water. I was so thrilled when we got up and found out the photographer had captured the moment, he was so excited, too.”
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Of all the images from the trip, this was the one that stunned Derek the most.
“Manta rays do this very graceful barrel roll but usually complete it so their back is to the surface again,” Derek explained. “This one went halfway, stopped and started sinking. I followed him down as far as I could … he was just so still, and I wasn’t disturbing him. It was just the two of us in this deep, dark water. I was so thrilled when we got up and found out the photographer had captured the moment, he was so excited, too.”
07of 12Shawn Heinrichs for WildAidWhile the animals were beautiful, the concept of the trip was equally as poetic to Derek.“Not many years ago, these same boat captains were fisherman who were killing these animals,” she explained. “Here now as we evolve as humans and being more respectful of nature and the animals around us, these same men are taking tourists out to have these peaceful encounters. It’s a very hopeful sign we’re going to coexist, in some respects.”
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While the animals were beautiful, the concept of the trip was equally as poetic to Derek.
“Not many years ago, these same boat captains were fisherman who were killing these animals,” she explained. “Here now as we evolve as humans and being more respectful of nature and the animals around us, these same men are taking tourists out to have these peaceful encounters. It’s a very hopeful sign we’re going to coexist, in some respects.”
08of 12Shawn Heinrichs for WildAidIssues with human/animal interaction are happening “all over the world,” Derek said. “America isn’t exempt. There are threats on all animals. That’s why this dive was so encouraging — it’s a success story.”
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Issues with human/animal interaction are happening “all over the world,” Derek said. “America isn’t exempt. There are threats on all animals. That’s why this dive was so encouraging — it’s a success story.”
09of 12Shawn Heinrichs for WildAidDives like these are a program WildAid has been running for 10 years, offering donors chances to experience wildlife up close with expert assistance. “All of this serves as an opportunity to raise awareness for sharks and other endangered species,” a rep for WildAid told PEOPLE.
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Dives like these are a program WildAid has been running for 10 years, offering donors chances to experience wildlife up close with expert assistance. “All of this serves as an opportunity to raise awareness for sharks and other endangered species,” a rep for WildAid told PEOPLE.
10of 12Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid"Everyone who goes out there is well-versed and educated on how to be respectful and not to interfere," Derek said of the dive. “The group was of a like mind. I was around some really great people.”
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“Everyone who goes out there is well-versed and educated on how to be respectful and not to interfere,” Derek said of the dive. “The group was of a like mind. I was around some really great people.”
11of 12Shawn Heinrichs for WildAidDerek’s next trip with WildAid will be to Indonesia, to its largest marine preserve. “It’s going to be incredible, another once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she said.
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Derek’s next trip with WildAid will be to Indonesia, to its largest marine preserve. “It’s going to be incredible, another once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she said.
12of 12Shawn Heinrichs for WildAidTo learn more about how you can help keep creatures like whale sharks safe, visitWildAid.orgfor information on donations and theorganization’s annual gala.
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To learn more about how you can help keep creatures like whale sharks safe, visitWildAid.orgfor information on donations and theorganization’s annual gala.
source: people.com
