Definition & Meaning of "African manatee"

What is an "African manatee"?

The African manatee, also known as the West African manatee, is a large aquatic mammal that is found in rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters of West and Central Africa. They are herbivorous, feeding primarily on aquatic vegetation, and have a rotund body shape with a tapered snout and paddle-like flippers. African manatees have a brownish-gray to gray coloration with sparse bristly hairs on their thick, wrinkled skin. They are generally slow-moving and gentle creatures, known for their docile and shy behavior. African manatees are considered vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss, hunting, and other human activities, and conservation efforts are underway to protect and conserve their populations.