Collaborative Regional Network for West African Manatee Research

The West African manatee is one of the least understood marine mammals in the world. The range of the species is larger than the width of the United States, yet to date there have been only a handful of studies, many of which were short term surveys with no follow up or local capacity building. In the last five years, there have been several international meetings that have created new interest in manatees by most of the countries in the species range. Typically one to two people and/or organizations in each country have decided to take a lead in manatee research, but with no previous experience with the species they are often isolated from researchers in other countries. Wildlife Trust scientist, Lucy Keith, has begun building a collaborative partnership for information sharing, genetics sampling, analysis and communication of results. To date, researchers affiliated with government agencies, universities and NGOs in 16 West African countries are participating. We plan to add a training component to our existing research program to assist these African collaborators in learning field assessment techniques to determine the status of manatee populations in their countries.

Training will be provided for African collaborators by bringing them to study sites to accompany field research activities and gain experience through participating in data collection. Lucy may also work with some collaborators at study sites in their countries. Training will include instruction on boat and interview survey techniques, environmental sampling and equipment, field tracking tagged manatees, behavioral observation experience, demonstration of manatee necropsy procedures and biological sampling protocols, and opportunities for participants to ask questions and share their local knowledge. During training, basic field equipment will also be provided to those collaborators in need. Additionally, educational materials in French and English including posters, brochures, stickers and coloring/activity books for children will be provided to the network for educational campaigns to raise awareness of the species. This study will also conduct the first preliminary regional genetic analysis of West African manatee populations from countries across the species range. Genetics has the ability to shed light on population structure, both within specific countries as well as in the larger range-wide context. Currently, it is unknown if any subspecies exist for West African manatees across their large range, but if this is determined through genetics analysis; it would make their conservation status even more critical.

The long-term strategy for this project is the creation of a cohesive network of researchers who will determine population sizes and status of West African manatees in a majority of range countries, as well as develop and implement management plans for conservation of the species. Once the network is set up and collaborators are trained, detailed and more focused research can be conducted in most range countries, such as the preservation of specific habitats where manatee use is found to be high, and targeting anti-poaching enforcement to known hunting areas. Collaborators can also share their knowledge and train others, further increasing the number of biologists working with the species.

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