PRIMEVAL SURVIVORS

The Dugong

By Katelin Kukk

Is it a manatee? A sea cow? It’s a dugong! While closely related, manatees and dugongs are not the same species. They both, however, share the same nickname, sea cow, and for good reason. They are slow, gentle creatures that graze on vegetation and can weigh over a thousand pounds. Dugongs are grey in color and have a dolphin-like tail, unlike their cousin. You can find them swimming in the tropical and subtropical waters from East Africa to Australia!

While these peaceful marine mammals mind their own business, dugongs have several threats that loom over them. Habitat loss and human activities, such as net entanglement and boat strikes, harm their populations. Fortunately, they are now protected under law, but incidents still occur. Look into how you can help dugongs, and let’s keep their populations alive!

Photograph by Franco Banfi