Successful rescue operation for Manatees in the Senegal River

These plant-eating mammals, which are denominated as ' vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List of threatened species, become stuck in river arms when river levels drop. By themselves they are not able to reach the main river arm and therefore must be rescued.
 

"Total success"

According to Momar Sow, Project coordinator for the conservation of the West African Manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) of Wetlands International Africa, reported from the field: “this operation recorded a total success with the capture of five manatees, followed with their release in the main arm of the river.”

Combined action

This operation was made possible through the combined action of the Direction des Parcs Nationaux du Senegal (DPNS), the Service Regional des Pêches, the Service Regional des Eaux et Forêts, the fishing communities, Spanish cooperation and Société d’Aménagement et d’Exploitation des Vallées du Senegal et de la Faleme (SAED, St-Louis), and the NGOs Oceanium and Wetlands International Africa.

Wetlands International Africa wishes to thank all the partners who joined this rescue operation for the Matam manatees.

For more information, contact:

Marieme Ndour

Wetlands International Africa

Phone +221 33 869 16 81

Fax +221 825 92 12

maremewet@gmail.com

http://afrique.wetlands.org