The West African Manatee Trichechus senegalensis belongs to the order of Sirenians, the only group of herbivorous aquatic mammals. It is one of the most threatened species among the Sirenians. The highest population densities are found in Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Gabon. It moves slowly and is fond of quiet places. Highly sensitive to cold water, due to its low thermoregulation capacity, the manatee prefers warm water. The main threats to the West African Manatee are habitat destruction, accidental netting and hunting. The manatee has never been the object of intense commercial exploitation, but hunting for consumption purposes is one of the main causes of its decline, for example in Guinea-Bissau. Its fat is said to have medicinal properties (for treating rheumatism and pains). It holds pride of place in several West African societies in traditional mythologies and folklore. Among the Peulh (Fulanis) in the Sahel, it is believed to be a woman who, after she was surprised naked in her bath, turned into a manatee; among certain ethnic groups in the Congo, the manatee is seen as a mythical ancestor, the spirit of the river who can appear in the form of a siren.