Thesis projet : Characterize the distribution and population size of the African manatee, a threatened species, in Conkouati-Douli National Park, Republic of the Congo

The general objective of the thesis is to improve the knowledge about the African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) within Conkouati-Douli National Park (CDNP) in order to guide conservation actions (awareness, fishing methods, alternative activities, etc.) while considering socio-economic impacts. The cryptic and poorly understood nature of this threatened species necessitates a combination of different non-destructive and non-invasive monitoring methods (visual observation, acoustic, genomic), some of which are new (environmental DNA). This monitoring aims to better understand the ecological needs of the species, its habitat, and its distribution within the park, as well as to estimate indices of manatee population abundance within the CDNP. Ultimately, the results of this project will enable the proposal of avoidance, reduction, or compensation measures for threats to the species while minimizing negative effects on the local human population.

Objective 1: Characterize the species distribution in relation to the environment (physico-chemical parameters, vegetation, anthropogenic pressures, etc.) and propose an occurrence model within the park along with mapping.
We will seek to identify the ecological needs of the species within the CDNP, its distribution to establish a probability map of occurrence.

Objective 2: Estimate the size of the manatee population in the park using genomics.
We will analyze the genetic structure and diversity of the manatee within the CDNP. We will also estimate a sample size index that we have.

Objective 3: Contribution of acoustics to the spatial and seasonal characterization of manatee habitat, individual characterization, and contribution to a manatee abundance index, and comparison with genetic results.
We will test the ability of the acoustic approach to individually identify manatees and to obtain an estimation of the population size. Results will be compared with those obtained through genetic monitoring (Objective 2).

Objective 4: Propose a conservation program and identify priority protection areas in interaction with populations to mitigate socio-economic impacts.
We will use the knowledge gained about the spatial distribution and abundance of the African manatee in the CDNP (Objectives 1, 2 & 3) to guide species conservation actions in the park.