In Nigeria with Salami

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Introduction

Salami Olalekan graduated from the Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management in The Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria and is currently running his MSc in Wildlife Ecology and Rangeland Management with research interest in the Occurrence Pattern, Threat and Conflict with Humans of Otter and African Manatee along the longest coastline in Nigeria (Ondo State).

The African clawless otter and the spotted-necked otter are both present in his study area but the spotted-necked otter seems to be more abundance in the region.

Salami has developed questionnaires and focus group interview questions for the communities he approaches and shows them photos for identification.

Most of the people he interviews are Ikales and Ilajes that understand Yoruba language (his native language), while the Ijaws are predominantly fishermen that understand Yoruba and pidgin English. The few that he cannot communicate with are interpreted by an official local guide which makes the work easier.

August 2021 Update

In the last few months, Salami proceeded to continue his research on spotted-necked otters (Hydrictis maculicollis) and African manatees (Trichechus senegalensis). The study was carried out in the coastal areas of Ondo State located in the Southwestern region of Nigeria, mainly by visiting and recording all the communities in which otters were sighted both directly and indirectly. The study and the distribution map of spotted-necked otters in the riverine areas can be seen here.

August 2022 Update

This year, Salami had to use his own funds to work on more awareness events with otters. He received 100€ from the IOSF to carry out a very successful World Otter Day event. Read his proposal here and his report here.

June 2023 Update

This year, Salami had to find his own funds not only for his awareness projects but also for World Otter Day. The AON has just relaunched and hopefully will be able to sponsor projects such as his in the near future.

Salami has obtained his Masters degree – African Manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) and spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis): occurrence, threat and conflict with humans in Ondo State, Nigeria – and managed to set up a citizen science initiative in the school around the coastal communities, also involving students. He is worried about a trend that seems on the rise, in which more and more otters and other aquatic mammals are being killed. Although he reported these killings to Wildlife Body Organisation in Nigeria there was no feedback or action taken.

October 2023 Update

The 6^th World Environmental Conservation Conference (WECC) organized by Netlink Environmental Conservation Organization (NECOR) in conjunction with the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) held at the Federal University of Technology Akure between 18th and 21st October, 2023 was a huge success. The 4-day events brought professionals from diverse disciplines where issues on climate change and its impacts was discussed.

Ondo State’s rich and highly diverse aquatic resources are declining due to impact of climate change and unsustainable exploitation. The two species of otters inhabiting the riverine communities of Ondo State are decreasing on a daily basis as a result of illegal hunting, water pollutions, habitat fragmentation/loss and faulty or bad perceptions. Thus, conservation of spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis) and African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) in their natural habitat is of high priority wherever they occur to ensure their survival. It is therefore vital to sensitize/educate individuals on the importance of otters and the protection of their habitat.

This was achieved through an African Otter Poster Presentation/display during the WEC Conference where participants and students were enlightened on African otters and freshwater conservation. Please read the full report HERE.