Monitoring and Threat Assessment of the Spotted-Necked Otter (Lutra maculicollis) in Southern Benin Wetlands

Otters are a very poorly studied species in most of Africa and Benin is no exception. This is due to their inaccessible habitat (river valleys), their retiring behaviour, and the difficulty of having no specific survey methods. An interview survey of local people was carried out in 2004 by the Laboratory of Applied Ecology in Southern Benin wetlands (6°28’N to 7°N; 2°23’E to 2°35’E) to assess the threats to spotted-necked otters. The results showed that yearlings dominated the demographic structure of the population (46.7%) and that males outnumbered females.Eight hunting methods have been developed and improved each year by the local people in the study area and records of these were used to ascertain age and sex. Besides this deliberate hunting, should be added accidental capture and other threats linked to the habitat. Ponds were found to be polluted by chemicals used for fishing, together with exploitation of rivers and over fishing in competition with otters. Spotted-necked otters are highly endangered in Benin wetlands and extinction could occur if the current threats are maintained. A strategic and sustainable conservation and management program must be developed to safeguard the species and its habitat.