Protect the West African Manatee from Oil Drilling

The West African Manatee faces many threats- pollution from urban and agriculture developement, deadly strikes from boats, and killed by fishing trawls and nets. They are also killed for meat and their oil is sold to cure ailments such as ear infections, rheumatism and skin conditions.- their bones are sold to make walking sticks. Adiitionally threats include being captured and sold to zoos, aquariums, sold online as pets, and are shipped internationally.

The West African Manatee in Cameroon inhabit rivers and estuaries and eat mainly plants overhanging from riverbanks, and mangrove trees. They live in the Douala-Edéa Wildlife Reserve, located on both sides of the Sanaga River. On the wildlife reserve- they face a new threat- oil drilling.

Cameroon has plans to issue licences to drill for oil for the Douala-Edéa Wildlife Reserve, habitat for the vunerable West African Manatee, and many other vurnerable and endangered species,- (sea turtles, dolphins, crocodiles, alligator, many fish species, terrestrial and water bird species, forest elephants, chimpanzees, monkeys and antelope.)

Tell Cameroon to protect this fragile ecosystem and stop plans to auction off licenses for oil drilling in wildlife reserves.

SOURCE: http://wildlifenews.co.uk/2013/

Ministry of Environment and Nature Protection
Director Mr. Justin Nantchou Ngoko
MINEP - YAOUNDE
Yaounde, Center Region
Cameroon
Tel: + 237 22 23 34 23
Fax: 011 237 2202 8085
EMail: justinnantchou2000@yahoo.fr

Ministry of Environment and Protection of Nature
Minister H.E. Pierre Hele
Yaounde, Center Region
Cameroon
Tel: + 22 23 34 23, 77 66 75 28
EMail: justinnantchou2000@yahoo.fr