Manatees of Gabon
Project Leader: Lucy Keith
Background
The West African manatee is one of the least understood marine mammals in the world. Very little is known about their distribution, behaviour or physiology. There are no recent estimates of abundance and the impact of hunting and habitat destruction is poorly documented, but trade in manatee bushmeat is well known throughout West Africa. This study investigates the status of manatees throughout Gabon and is the first in-depth research in the southern portion of the species range. This study began in 2006 and is a long-term, collaborative project comprising field research, interview survey and training components.
Objectives include, the determination of manatee distribution, habitat use, preliminary genetic analysis, training for Gabonese stakeholders in manatee research techniques, educational outreach, and the development of recommendations for long-term conservation and management. Over the past two years preliminary boat and interview surveys were conducted in 10 different areas of Gabon. The next phase of research will examine manatee habitat use, movement patterns, foraging, reproductive behaviour and the extent of human threats. We will initiate the first tagging study utilizing GPS telemetry to obtain fine-scale location and movement data, which will be used to inform conservation measures. Genetics analysis for this project will also contribute to a wider regional initiative for the species. We will expand boat-based surveys, interviews, training, education programs and collection of manatee tissues for baseline genetic and health analyses. In addition to increasing scientific knowledge of these animals, we hope to address many of the impediments to our current knowledge of how best to conserve them.
Objectives include, the determination of manatee distribution, habitat use, preliminary genetic analysis, training for Gabonese stakeholders in manatee research techniques, educational outreach, and the development of recommendations for long-term conservation and management. Over the past two years preliminary boat and interview surveys were conducted in 10 different areas of Gabon. The next phase of research will examine manatee habitat use, movement patterns, foraging, reproductive behaviour and the extent of human threats. We will initiate the first tagging study utilizing GPS telemetry to obtain fine-scale location and movement data, which will be used to inform conservation measures. Genetics analysis for this project will also contribute to a wider regional initiative for the species. We will expand boat-based surveys, interviews, training, education programs and collection of manatee tissues for baseline genetic and health analyses. In addition to increasing scientific knowledge of these animals, we hope to address many of the impediments to our current knowledge of how best to conserve them.
Aims & objectives
The primary goals of the project are to collect critically needed data and begin capacity building which will enable informed conservation actions for the West African manatee to be developed and implemented from the grassroots level. This project will also improve the conservation capacity of these underserved West African communities and enhance scientific knowledge of this least understood member of the manatee family.
Specific project objectives:
Specific project objectives:
- Collection of baseline data in key lagoon and river systems. Boat and interview surveys in lagoon and river systems will be used to assess manatee presence, sighting frequency, threat assessment, critical habitat and habitat use.
- Develop estimates of manatee distribution, relative abundance, critical habitat and behavior. This will be the first time GPS tracking technology is used to study West African manatees and will allow for the production of extremely detailed maps and the ability to study the behavior of this elusive animal.
- Conduct preliminary genetic analysis of West African manatees for Gabon, as well as regionally for the species. Genetics will also allow for comparison to other sirenian species worldwide.
- Train Gabonese biologists, resource managers, national park staff, students and ecotourism operators manatee research and conservation techniques.
- Develop and initiate public awareness and education campaigns for teachers, students and the public.
- Provide data and make recommendations for long-term conservation and management to decision makers and NGOs working in Gabon.
- Develop appropriate mitigation measures in collaboration with other agencies and the Gabonese government.