The West African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) is the most endangered and least understood member of the Order Sirenia. The species is endemic to rivers, estuaries and lagoon systems of the African Atlantic coast, ranging from Mauritania to Angola. There are no recent estimates of abundance and the impact of hunting and habitat destruction are poorly documented, but the trade in manatee bushmeat is well known in Gabon and elsewhere in West Africa. The global consensus is that the species is in need of urgent attention if remaining viable populations are to persist. Wildlife Trust staff Lucy Keith, together with colleagues from the Wildlife Conservation Society, is conducting a multi-year, collaborative project comprising field research, interviews, and market survey components to assess manatee status and distribution in Gabon. This project was also designed to provide local biologists and resource managers suitable training in manatee research techniques, and opportunities to put lessons into practice. The resulting data and analyses will provide much needed information on status and will provide a basis for further conservation action.

In 2006 and 2007, Ms. Keith surveyed manatee habitat throughout Gabon, including national parks in the north, central and southern regions of the country, inland freshwater systems and coastal estuarine environments, protected areas and areas where hunting still occurs unchecked. Ms. Keith was able to speak to a wide range of people about manatees, from current and former hunters and fishermen to park managers to scientists, non-profit organizations and private citizens, all of whom had valuable perspectives. The numbers of manatees observed at several sites during these preliminary surveys is encouraging. The following are important next steps to conserve West African manatees in Gabon:

• Collect baseline data for selected lagoon and river systems
• Continue and expand interview surveys at selected sites
• Conduct preliminary genetic analysis of West African manatees
• Train local biologists in manatee research and conservation techniques
• GPS tagging and tracking of individual manatees to increase ability to do behavioral observations and to begin fine scale assessments of habitat use
• Formulate preliminary estimates of relative abundance
• Review existing information
• Initiate public awareness and educational outreach campaigns
• Make recommendations for long-term conservation and management to governments and local NGO’s
• Develop appropriate mitigation measures in collaboration with other agencies

Project partner:

Wildlife Conservation Society

Project funded by:

	Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
	Save the Manatee Club