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Suriname

Status and distribution

In a country that used to be known by the large number of manatees, the species has decreased to the point of being considered one of Suriname's most endangered. The greatest decline occurred between 1700 and 1940 when Europeans exploited manatee meat, hides and oil (Duplaix and Reichart 1978). There is no recent information on manatee distribution but studies conducted in the late 1970's report manatees in rivers and creeks up to 60 km inland: the Corantijn and its tributary Nanni creek; Nickerie and tributaries Maratakka river and Paradise creek; Coppename and tributaries Coesewijne, Wayombo and Tibiti rivers; Commewijne River, with tributary Cassewenica creek; Cottica river with tributaries Perica river and Koopmans and Barbakoeba creeks; Wane Creek, Marowijne, Tapoeripacreek; and Saramacca and Suriname rivers (Duplaix and Reichart 1978). The greatest numbers observed in Nanni creek, Coesewijne, Tibiti and Cottica may be biased due to the small width of these water bodies (Duplaix and Reichart 1978, Husson 1978). The manatee has never been seen in open ocean (Husson 1978).

Duplaix and Reichart (1978) made an attempt at an estimation for population during aerial surveys over major river systems, but were discouraged by the turbidity of the water and vegetation cover. Best results were obtained from a questionnaire applied to 89 local residents, sightings and secondary evidence. Contradictory results were obtained from different segments of interviewees: some believed the reduction in hunting has allowed for manatee increase in numbers; Amerindians have noticed their disappearance from their usual haunts in the 30 years prior to interview.

Major threats and conservation problems

Habitat alteration is probably the major obstruction to manatee survival in Suriname. Manatees in Suriname inhabit the coastal area of the country, which is also the most populated area. Almost 95% of the human population in the country inhabit this area.

Drainage of swamps and diking of rivers for sugar, coffee and more recently rice plantations have been reclaiming land for centuries (Dekker 1967, Husson 1978). Boat collisions may become an important cause of manatee fatalities as the large number of small local boats are being fitted with motors. Traffic of cargo trips is heavy in all major rivers in Suriname (Duplaix and Reichart 1978). Poaching levels are considered light, with the last recorded episode in 1993 when a confiscated specimen, which was entangled in a fishing net and released in a canal was slaughtered for meat in the last week of December l993. Most illegal takes are practiced for the alleged medicinal powers of the earbones (Reichart 1993 in litt.).

Reports of manatees caught in fishing nets date back to the early 1970s but fishermen claim animals are immediately released (Duplaix and Reichart 1978, Husson 1978). Manatees are said to be more vulnerable during January and February (Husson 1978). Hunting pressure is very reduced nowadays, as the tradition of manatee hunts has not been passed to young people (Duplaix and Reichart 1978). Probably 8 of the original 15 manatees captive in canals are alive and well (Reichart 1993 in litt.). Four died by getting jammed in the canals where they were kept while clearing the canals of vegetation. Some probably escaped or were released in the wild by the holder.

Socio-economic significance of the species to local communities

Manatee meat, provided by Amerindians, represented an important source of protein to workers during the early days of Suriname plantations (Husson 1978). In Nickerie, western Suriname, 7 manatees were being used as weed control agents since 1965 (Duplaix and Reichart 1978). Only two legends about manatees were identified in Carib folklore (Duplaix and Reichart 1978). Additionally, their earbones are used for the treatment of whopping cough and epilepsy.

National legislation and conservation measures

Manatee is fully protected under the Nature Protection Act and the 1954 Suriname Game Ordinance as revised in 1970 (Duplaix and Reichart 1978, Husson 1978). However, due to the serious shortage of qualified personnel and transport means, enforcement is not as effective as it should be. Suriname became Party to the CITES Convention in l981, but has not acceded to the SPAW Protocol.

Although no reserve has been designated especially for manatees, they occur in the estuary and mangrove swamps of the 10,000 ha Coppename river Nature Reserve; and the presence of large numbers of manatees in the upper Coesewijne river has contributed to the selection of this area as a protected area. In l986, this area was declared a nature reserve. Another area, the Kaboericreek, where manatees also occur, has been proposed to be established as a nature reserve. Government approval of this reserve is expected soon.

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