Dugong to the rescue: Calf gets a nursery boost after Krabi solo act

A young dugong calf, found alone near Koh Poda in Krabi, has been transferred to a nursery in Trang for care and medical attention.

Tourists discovered the calf yesterday and promptly notified officials from the Andaman Sea Lower Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, confirmed the incident and detailed the subsequent actions taken.

Officials administered initial aid before transporting the dugong to the Natural Resources and Environment Institute at Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya’s Trang Campus, located in Sikao district, for further medical treatment.

The calf, a male, measures approximately 102 centimetres in length and weighs 13.8 kilogrammes. Estimated to be between one and two months old, the dugong exhibited signs of distress. Although it could raise its head to breathe, it appeared weak, and its sunken eyes indicated dehydration.

Small wounds were observed on the calf’s nose and head, and its body appeared rather thin. Additionally, the left eye was cloudy, the lungs showed slight moisture, and the calf seemed hungry.

Caretakers are providing round-the-clock attention, with milk and water being administered every two hours to rehydrate the calf. A comprehensive veterinary examination is scheduled to assess its health condition further, an official at the centre stated.

“The calf’s condition is stable, but we are keeping a close watch and ensuring it receives the necessary care.”

The discovery and rescue of this calf highlight the ongoing efforts to protect marine life in the region, especially vulnerable species like the dugong, reported Bangkok Post.

Earlier this year, a prominent marine biologist issued a stark warning regarding the potential threat to the survival of dugongs in the Andaman Sea due to the rapid decline of seagrass, their primary food source. Thon Thamrongnawasat, the deputy dean of Kasetsart University’s fisheries faculty, voiced his concerns in a Facebook post, emphasising his worries for the future of marine biodiversity, specifically the plight of the dugongs.