DISTRIBUTION, ABONDANCE ET PRINCIPALES MENACES SUR LE CROCODILE D AFRIQUE DE L OUEST (CROCODYSLUS SUCHUS), DANS LE BASSIN ACTIF DU FLEUVE NIGER

The West African crocodile (Crocodylus suchus) is under significant anthropogenic pressure, leading to a decline in its population and range. The present study,conducted from April to May 2025, aims to determine the distribution and abundance of the West African crocodile (Crocodylus suchus) in the active basin of the Niger River and to characterize the threats to the species and its habitat. To this end, transect counts were carried out on foot along the Mare de Garbal (3 km) or by non-motorized pirogue along the river (430 km) from Tillabery to Dole (Gaya). The inventories were carried out during the day between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and at night between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. In addition, an ethno-zoological survey was conducted to confirm the presence of the species in the study area and to characterize the threats to the species and its habitat. A total of 123 people were interviewed in 12 villages.