Evaluation and statut of manatees (trichechus senegalensis ) of Ogooue bassin in Gabon

Abstract

Available information from literature and the results of surveys and studies conducted between 1986 and 1995 on the distribution and biology of trichechus senegalensis show that, the West African manatee occurs in the middle and lower reaches of rivers from Senegal to the Quanza in Angola (Powell, 1996; Dodman ,1999). The same study reported that manatees are common in Gabon and the country may contain one of the highest densities of the species in Africa. The last survey we conducted in the bassin of Ogooué River and in the interconnecting lakes between Port-Gentil and Lambaréné verified the existence of trichechus senegalensis, and differents informations collected around all Gabon by one of us confirm the presence of specie all over water plans with preference for coastal zone. However, it is clear that this population is currrently suffering from the detrimental effects of uncheked hunting practises and habitat destruction. Findings also indicate that the manatee population has been declining in recent years