Dr. Aristide Takoukam Kamla has dedicated his career to protecting the African manatee, a little-known and endangered species found in the freshwater of West Africa. His journey began over a decade ago at Lake Ossa, Cameroon, where he learned to spot these elusive marine mammals.
To catch a glimpse of the manatees, early risers can visit the lake at dawn when the water is calm. Observers may see the manatees' nostrils break the surface as they breathe.
Initially, Kamla, a marine biology graduate, had misconceptions about manatees, influenced by videos of Florida manatees, which are quite different from their African counterparts. His expertise grew through collaboration with local fishermen, who taught him how to locate these animals within the lake's 4,500 hectares.
Now regarded as his favorite animal, the African manatee is the subject of his doctoral research at the University of Florida and the recipient of a prestigious Whitley Award in 2024 for biodiversity conservation.
American researcher Sarah Farinelli recently joined Kamla on an expedition, where they observed five manatees, including a female with her calf. This sighting was particularly significant, as manatees are rarely seen in many parts of Africa.
Despite their presence along the West African coast from Mauritania to Angola, the African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) remains poorly studied, leaving many questions about their population and migration patterns unanswered.
Considered vulnerable and listed on the IUCN Red List, the African manatee faces threats from poaching and habitat destruction. Kamla has founded an organization, AMMCO, focused on marine mammal protection in Africa, addressing these challenges head-on.
While fishing for manatees was once common, local regulations have since prohibited this practice, and a blue plaster statue now commemorates their existence in the nearby village. However, pollution from a nearby palm oil refinery and fishing nets pose ongoing threats to their survival.
In 2021, an invasive plant, Salvinia molesta, covered half of Lake Ossa, jeopardizing the manatees' habitat. Scientists initiated a biological control project using a specific beetle that feeds on the invasive plant, enlisting local fishermen's help. Three years later, the invasive plant has nearly vanished, restoring the habitat.
Kamla emphasizes the importance of building trust with local communities to facilitate effective conservation efforts. He hopes to establish an ecotourism circuit to further protect the manatees and engage the community in conservation.
Gilbert Oum Ndjocka, the Douala-Edea National Park conservator, highlights the need for all stakeholders to collaborate in conservation efforts, ensuring a sustainable future for the African manatee.