Two African manatee (Trichechus senegelensis) also referred to as sea cow was reported to have been caught by a fisherman in a remote village called Gaiyingbo in Badagry, lagos state. This occurrence is said to be a norm for the people of Gaiyingbo, the aquatic organism was said to have been constantly caught by fishermen while navigating through the Lagos-Badagry Lagoon.
Our reporter and an eyewitness Miss Oyebadejo Opemipo reported that this vulnerable species on IUCN’s list was caught on the 2nd of July and 2 of these species were caught at 7:00am (WAT) after a heavy rain fall. The manatees caught weighed 410kg each and were 7.2ft tall.
The fishermen in the region stated that the meat of the manatee is of high demand and worth about 250,000 naira in the Nigerian currency. Therein, it was observed that large numbers of people were there to purchase the meat.
Images: showing one of the dead manatees and butchered parts.
Image credit: Opemipo
© Aquaworld.