1.Project description

Oueme Lower Valley Biosphere Reserve in Benin appears to be the largest West African Manatee sanctuary in Benin (Chabi-Yaouré, 2012). In this protected area, Trichechus senegalensis, an endangered species, list as Vulnerable in the IUCN red list of threatened species, is faced with critical extinction threats due to hunting, capture in fishing nets, destruction of its habitats and water pollution (Affomasse, 1999) ) and Chabi-Yaouré, 2012). No later than December 22, 2020, an adult individual of West African manatee ( Trichechus senegalensis ), was injured and killed by fishermen in Hêtin-Sota along the Oueme river in southern Benin. Through our work with local partners in the area, we come to understand that local awareness of conservation issues is minimal.However, more knowledge of manatee population, distribution, and behavior can help authorities adapt fishing practices to reduce the threat to wildlife while still allowing local fisheries to maintain their livelihoods. Also, the change of mentalities of local population toward endangered species conservation will help to avoid the disappearance of this species in the area. The project aim is for local stakeholders effectively to safeguard and protect West African Manatee ( Trichechus senegalensis ) and its habitat in Oueme Lower Valley Biosphere Reserve. The objectives are (1) identify the current distribution of the West African Manatee ( Trichechus senegalensis ) in Oueme Lower Valley Biosphere Reserve, (2) Public awareness raising in local communities and environmental education, (3) Community organization and capacity building and (4) ) ) Create a volunteer network to monitor illegal wildlife trade.

2. Project progress up to now

First, the project studied the West African manatee population, distribution, behavior and its relation with local population using two different methodologies: interviews and aquatic surveys. Aquatic surveys in small boat were mainly used to identify their preferred habitats and distribution. We interviewed 230 people using KoboCollect from May to June 2022 with smartphone in 10 villages (Hêtin-Sôta ; Aguégué ; Kessounou ; Affamè, Hounviguè ; Ahouanzonmè ; Gangban-Toganhounsa, Avagbodji, Kodé and Zoungamey), mainly fishers and farmers of them least saw the species one time in doing their activities. The number of persons to be interviewed was determined using the Dagnelie (1982) formula.The results show that, the local common name of the West African Manatee is Toyou or Gningbin-Gningbin. It is an aquatic species that prefers deep and fresh water. The species is present in the Oueme Valley and in Lake Nokoue all around the year. However, it becomes more frequent and more visible during two periods of the year. These are the period from August to October (the flood period) and the period from February to April (the flood return period). These two periods bring together very suitable conditions for the presence of the Manatee. This species is easy to observe and 32% of respondents observed the animal less than two (02) months ago. However, 49% claim to have observed it 1 year ago.This answer depends above all on the respondent\\\'s mobility on the water. Someone who no longer fishes does not have the same chance of observing the species as someone who spends 5 days a week on the water. The manatee is a species that lives in small groups. They are often in groups of 2, 3, 4, rarely more than 05 individuals per group. The population recognizes four (04) uses of the manatee. These are medicinal, food, commercial and medico-magical use. The use of the manatee in food is cited by 90% of respondents. While medical, commercial and medico-magical uses were cited by less than 25% of cited cited. According to the people, the West African Manatee is eaten by local populations because of the good quality of its meat.More than 27% of the respondents have asserted that the whole manatee is sold at an average price of 163,889 FCFA ($250). It should be noted that four (04) parts of the animal are used with regard to medico-magical uses. These are bones, dungs, male genitalia and snot. However, the frequency of citation is very low for each part. People use bones of the species in the treatment of three medical problems. These are: broken bones in humans after an accident, sprains and rumathism. The dungs ​​of the species are used in the diet of pigs as a food supplement. The organs (male genitalia) of the animal are used to treat sexual weakness for man. The manatee snot is poisonous to humans.Several threats weigh on the species conservation and recognized by the respondents. According to the information collected these treats are: hunt, fishing, exploitation of river sand, agriculture along the river using pesticide, gasoline smuggling and habitat losses. The dungs ​​of the species are used in the diet of pigs as a food supplement. The organs (male genitalia) of the animal are used to treat sexual weakness for man. The manatee snot is poisonous to humans. Several threats weigh on the species conservation and recognized by the respondents. According to the information collected these treats are: hunt, fishing, exploitation of river sand, agriculture along the river using pesticide, gasoline smuggling and habitat losses.The dungs ​​of the species are used in the diet of pigs as a food supplement. The organs (male genitalia) of the animal are used to treat sexual weakness for man. The manatee snot is poisonous to humans. Several threats weigh on the species conservation and recognized by the respondents. According to the information collected these treats are: hunt, fishing, exploitation of river sand, agriculture along the river using pesticide, gasoline smuggling and habitat losses. Second, the project helped for public awareness in June to July 2022 about the species conservation among local communities. We sensitized more than 800 peoples in 20 villages of Oueme valley toward the West African Manatee conservation. During the awareness session we discussed about the flight toward the manatee population and present the best attitudes that will promote the sustainable conservation the species. Flyers that capture attention and present the benefics and threats to the West African manatee conservation, as suggested by the Manatee Conservation Action Plan, was confectioned and distributed to the populations. Finally, we have selected twenty people from local communities who have actively distinguished themselves by their enthusiasm for the protection of the West African Manatee. These people will be trained in the second phase of our project and will obtain skills and knowledge for further the West African manatee conservation and be our voice in their respectives community.

3. Project plan forward

Our project is actually in half of the implementation. During the forward step we plan to: First, train 20 high engaged local people to obtain skills and knowledge for further the west african manatee conservation and be our voice in their respectives community. This training will help to have our actions to be sustainable in the communities. Furthur more the trainees will represent an interface between the communities and our organization and will report illegal activities on time in order to have rapid intervention. Second, develop school outreach programs for 1000 primary and secondary school children students and 20 teachers in the Oueme Valley landscape through twenty (20) workshop sessions (50 students and one teacher will be enrolled per session). Five schools within the Oueme Valley will be enrolled for the outreach program to build awareness on the species protection. Thirdly, a list of threat factors, suitable habitats, will be compiled and offered to the NGOs, provincial forestry department in the state, chief of the villages and used as a basis for the development of efficient monitoring and sustainable management of the remaining population of West African Manatee in the Oueme lower valley biosphere reserve. Finally, the possibility of manatee-based ecotourism will be discussed as a means of generating revenues for the local community.

 4. Photos

A) Study area map B) Awareness flyer C) Interview with local communities at Aguegue using KoboCollect tool D) Aquatic survey at Zoungamey E) Aquatic survey at Ahouanzonmè F) Geo-referencing West African Manatee Suitable Habitats and sightings G) Suitable Habitat for West African Manatee H) Awareness raising at Affamè I) Awareness raising at Affamè: discussion with population J) Awareness raising at Aguégué K) Awareness raising at Kodé L) Family picture of team members with Zoungame Village chief in white