The Congo Clawless Otter occurs in tropical rainforests and lowland swamps of the Congo River basin (Lariviere 2001, Jacques et al. 2009). They are observed in swampy forest clearings (bais), for example, at Langoué Bai in Gabon, and Mbeli Bai in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park (N.P.) and in Odzala N.P. in the Republic of the Congo (Jacques et al. 2009). They also inhabit some rivers, for example Dji Dji River (Gabon) (Davenport et al. 2011), and Sanaga River (Cameroon) (Jacques 2006). They are recorded up to 2,200 m on the Kahuzi Massif (Rahm and Christiaensen 1963). With one exception (Davenport et al. 2011), all records report the presence of only one young with the mother (Jacques 2002b).

Congo Clawless Otter is present in several protected areas across their range, including Dzanga-Sangha N.P. in Central African Republic, Ivindo Gabon, and Nouabalé-Ndoki and Odzala National Parks in Congo Republic (Jacques et al. 2009). Thus, they are incidentally conserved with other target species. It is listed on CITES Appendix II (as Aonyx capensis). Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled. There is a need for a detailed study on the biology, ecology, and distribution of this species.

In addition to threats already cited, the general lack of awareness of the presence of the Congo Clawless Otter and lack of conservation efforts by the institutions in charge of wildlife conservation in most African countries, is further accelerating the decline of the species. The initiative of the Wildlife Conservation Society to include otters in their document ‘Setting conservation and research priorities for larger African carnivores’ (Ray et al. 2005) could aid in greater awareness and promotion of more research on African otters. Otters could be used as symbols of water quality and preservation, and this may contribute to environmental education. The Congo Clawless Otter should be given legal protection status in Gabon, Congo, DRC and Cameroon until more information is collected about its status.