Using acoustics to study the manatee
743 comments
The project
AnimalsEducation
Explain the presence of manatees in Conkouati-Douli National Park.
Action regions
Africa
10 000
mature manateesin the world
210
microphonesto record them
44
websitessurveyed throughout the lagoon
Solution
The study of the African manatee began in 2023, thanks to a partnership between HELP Congo, Beauval Nature and EPHE. This animal is little known and very little studied, as it is difficult to observe. However, in Conkouati-Douli National Park, all the environments favorable to the species are present: lagoons, mangrove swamps, aquatic meadows, lakes and rivers. To detect it, several actions were carried out:
- Collection of environmental DNA to ensure the presence of manatee.
- Mapping of seagrass beds and favorable environments to deposit cameras in the water.
- Survey of villagers to find out about their possible interactions with the species.
Beauval Nature 2025 Prize: Innovation and technology at the service of conservation
In parallel, an acoustic research protocol has been set up. The aim is to immerse microphones in various aquatic areas of the park, in order to capture the sounds emitted by these mammals, classified as sirenians. Artificial intelligence software will be used to analyze several hours of recordings more rapidly, in order to detect manatee sounds. This long-term project will enable us to map the manatee's areas of presence and perhaps, in time, estimate the size of the population. Important data that can be used to better preserve this species!
Photo © Adobe Stock and HELP Congo
News
Use of the money
- Modeling of manatee presence in the national park
- Exploration of different methods: environmental DNA, photographic traps
- Microphone placement in the water
- Recording of area characteristics (depth, salinity, temperature, presence of seagrass beds, etc.)
- Sound analysis and construction of presence maps
.
Action regions
Africa
This association has been meticulously selected and checked by our partner
Beauval Nature
Despite their weight of over 300 kg, we study manatees without actually seeing them, but through their DNA and song... it's quite fun and fascinating! Technology allows us to follow this discreet species, and studying it requires a lot of patience.
These projects might interest you
