While fishing in the Sassandra Riverbed, Goué André Clotaire Gbagou caught an unexpected and vulnerable passenger — a baby West African manatee. Recognizing the calf was too young to survive alone, he has been nursing it by hand, inspiring a growing community effort to protect these gentle creatures.
- Fisherman finds and cares for an orphaned baby manatee
- Local agencies highlight urgent manatee conservation needs
- Community-driven eco-friendly efforts aim to protect vulnerable species
What happened
While fishing in the Sassandra Riverbed, Goué André Clotaire Gbagou encountered a young West African manatee trapped in his net. Aware that the calf was only around two months old and unable to survive independently, he took immediate action. The manatee now lives in a local wildlife enclosure where Gbagou continues to hand-feed it.
The rescue caught the attention of Born Free USA, the Department of Wildlife and Hunting Resources, and the Ministry of Water and Forests. They have been monitoring the manatee’s progress and will decide when it is ready for release, ensuring it grows strong and healthy before returning to the wild.
Why it feels good
This heartfelt rescue shines a light on the vulnerable West African manatee, a species considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The baby’s presence has sparked enthusiasm within the local community and conservation groups who recognize the urgency of protecting these gentle aquatic mammals.
Gbagou’s compassionate care has also encouraged moves towards community-based conservation efforts, including promoting eco-friendly fishing techniques that reduce harm to manatees and other wildlife. The story is a reminder of how individual kindness can inspire broader environmental stewardship.
What to enjoy or watch next
Looking ahead, stakeholders are exploring how ecotourism could provide sustainable economic benefits while encouraging the protection of manatees and other endangered species like sea turtles, dolphins, and waterbirds. Creating observation stations and educating communities are part of ongoing plans to build awareness and support for conservation.
Meanwhile, authorities and local fishermen are advised to collaborate on minimizing threats such as fishing net entanglement, habitat destruction, and pollution. As the manatee calf grows, its recovery and eventual release will be a hopeful milestone to follow in the continuing story of saving Ivory Coast’s native wildlife.