Marium was found in April off the coast of Krabi, southern Thailand, and photos of her nuzzling marine biologists quickly went viral. When a second orphaned dugong was found, subsequently named Jamil by Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, the pair became internet stars.

Dugongs, a species of sea cow, are listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, facing environmental threats including pollution, habitat loss and hunting. In Thailand, Marium and Jamil soon became symbols for the conservation of the oceans. Fans could watch Marium on a live feed, receiving veterinary treatment, and being fed up to 15 times a day.

But last week the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources posted that Marium was sick and refusing food. Marium died just after midnight on Saturday morning. An autopsy revealed plastic debris in the intestine, resulting in inflammation and the accumulation of gas, as well as a respiratory infection and a buildup of pus.

PHOTO: กรมทรัพยากรทางทะเลและชายฝั่ง

Young Mariam died earlier today.

The centre posted on its official Facebook page that the vet team found that she’d stopped breathing and her pulse had stopped as well, so they brought her out of the water to try and stimulate breathing.

Initially, they found that she was still responding from her eyes so they return her back to the pond. After checking the pulse, they found that it stopped again so they used some veterinary medications to keep her alive and pulled her out of the water for a second time.

She was pronounced dead at midnight today.

In a post mortem the vets found that Mariam had consumed a quantity of plastic that may have been previously undetectable.

“Rest in peace Mariam, our little angel,” says the PMBC post.

Read some more about Mariam HERE.

The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a warning to residents of eastern and southern provinces to brace themselves for heavy rains until Sunday.

In its warning, issued at 5am today, the department said the rains would be unleashed by influences of the southwest monsoon across the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, which is intensifying, and by a low-pressure cell covering upper Vietnam.

Friday

East: Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.

South: Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Satun, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani.

Saturday and Sunday

East: Chanthaburi and Trat.

South: Ranong, Phang Nga, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon.

The department said the strong winds would generate 2-3 metre waves in the upper Andaman Sea and in the upper Gulf of Thailand. It warned all ships to proceed with caution, and small boats to stay ashore.

Bangkok five day forecast from weather.com

Phuket five day forecast from weather.com