Dugong

  • Environment NewsIs it too late for Thailandโ€™s dugongs?

    Is it too late for Thailandโ€™s dugongs?

    Long ago, dugongs were hunted across Southeast Asia for their meat, tusks, and bones. In some regions, their body parts were thought to hold magical powers. Dugong tears, in particular, were said to bring good fortune or even love. But in Thailand, these gentle sea cows often inspired more reverence than harm. Along the Andaman coast, dugongs became symbols of love,โ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsThailand launches UAVs to protect endangered dugongs

    Thailand launches UAVs to protect endangered dugongs

    Efforts to preserve the dugong population have intensified following the recent discovery of several deceased specimens. Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Chalermchai Sri-on, announced a series of new measures aimed at safeguarding these unique marine mammals, whose survival is threatened by the disappearance of seagrass meadowsโ€”an essential food source for the worldโ€™s only herbivorous marine mammal. The decline of seagrassโ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsTourists in Trang thrilled by rare dugong sighting near Koh Libong

    Tourists in Trang thrilled by rare dugong sighting near Koh Libong

    Tourists in Trang were thrilled to encounter a fully grown dugong grazing on seagrass, a sight not witnessed for several months. The boat operator quickly launched a drone to capture the memorable moment, creating a buzz among the visitors. At Ban Phrang Pier in the Koh Libong area of Kantang district, Trang province, Anon Kingkoyao, a tour operator on Kohโ€ฆ

  • Phuket NewsVillagers find beheaded dugong in Phuket, sparking marine safety concerns

    Villagers find beheaded dugong in Phuket, sparking marine safety concerns

    A grim discovery unfolded when villagers found a beheaded dugong floating near the shores of Baan Bang Rong, Phuket. Officials were promptly called to investigate the incident, which has sparked concerns about marine life safety and illegal poaching activities. The report of the gruesome find reached the local police station yesterday, November 14. Nopadol Tonmanee, an investigator at Thalang Policeโ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsDugong dilemma: Thailand’s gentle sea giants face extinction risk

    Dugong dilemma: Thailandโ€™s gentle sea giants face extinction risk

    Thailandโ€™s beloved dugongs are in dire straits, prompting an urgent meeting by the National Policy and Planning Committee on Marine and Coastal Resources Management. Led by Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, the focus was squarely on the alarming rise in dugong deaths in recent weeks. With representatives from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, and the Department of Marine andโ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsDugong numbers in Andaman Sea may drop 70% in four years

    Dugong numbers in Andaman Sea may drop 70% in four years

    Dugong populations in the Andaman Sea face a potential 70% decline within the next four years, primarily due to a shrinking supply of seagrass, their main food source. This alarming prediction was made by a marine biologist, emphasising the urgent need for conservation efforts to save this vulnerable marine mammal. Thon Thamrongnawasawat highlighted the crisis in seagrass reserves, stressing theโ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsPhuket project aims to save dugongs with new food plots

    Phuket project aims to save dugongs with new food plots

    The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) in Phuket has initiated an experimental project to combat the decline of seagrass and provide supplementary food for dugongs. The project, currently underway on Rawai Beach, seeks to prevent the extinction of these marine mammals. Experimentation began at the Upper Andaman Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre, where they have established naturalโ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsDugong deaths rise, experts warn of drastic decline in Andaman Sea

    Dugong deaths rise, experts warn of drastic decline in Andaman Sea

    Eight dugongs have died and washed ashore this month, according to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR). Marine ecosystem expert Thon Thamrongnawasawat has warned that in five to eight years, only a few dozen dugongs might remain in the Andaman Sea. The DMCR reported that between October 1 and October 24, four male and four female dugongs wereโ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsViral dugong sighting stuns Phuket

    Viral dugong sighting stuns Phuket

    A video of a rare dugong swimming near the bustling Rawai Bridge in Phuket has taken social media by storm, sparking calls for immediate action from local officials. The 41-second clip, posted on the Phuket Info Centreโ€™s Facebook page, shows the elusive sea creature gracefully navigating the waters of Rawai Beach, a popular tourist destination. Filmed yesterday morning, August 20,โ€ฆ

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

    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 detailedโ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsFemale dugong found dead from illegal fishing nets in Krabi

    Female dugong found dead from illegal fishing nets in Krabi

    In a tragic event marking the fourth dugong death caused by fishing equipment this year, a female dugong was discovered dead this morning, entangled in a crab fishing net off Ao Nang Beach, in Krabi Province. The incident was reported by a local tour boat operator who spotted the floating carcass approximately 600 metres from the shore. Staff from theโ€ฆ

  • Phuket NewsThailand enhances protection for dugongs following tragic deaths

    Thailand enhances protection for dugongs following tragic deaths

    The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, directed officials of national parks and other marine wildlife officers to enhance the protective measures for dugongs. This decision comes in the wake of the tragic deaths of two female dugongs, presumably a mother and her calf, that were discovered washed ashore on Kohโ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsDecapitated dugong washes up on beach in southern Thailand

    Decapitated dugong washes up on beach in southern Thailand

    A decapitated dugong with wounds all over its body washed up on a beach on Koh Sriboya island in Krabi province in southern Thailand yesterday. Itโ€™s a tragic event considering that dugongs are protected by Thai law and there are only an estimated 200 of them left in Thailandโ€™s waters. The carcass of a 2-metre-long male dugong weighing no lessโ€ฆ

  • Krabi NewsDMCR report an abundance of healthy sealife in Krabi

    DMCR report an abundance of healthy sealife in Krabi

    Officers from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (DMCR), Lower Andaman Sea were pleased to report the abundance of healthy sealife after they performed an aerial survey over Krabi last week. Between March 1 to March 5, 22 dugongs and 74 sea turtles were discovered. Yesterday, the Director of the DMCR, Lower Andaman Sea, Santi Ninlawat, reportedโ€ฆ

  • South Thailand NewsThailand boosts protection of dolphins in Songkhla Lake

    Thailand boosts protection of dolphins in Songkhla Lake

    There are as few as 14 Irrawaddy dolphins in Songkhla Lake. The situation is so serious that the World Bank has become involved. Global dolphin experts recently met with local agencies at the World Bank office in Bangkok to come up with better ways to make sure the dolphins survive, and even flourish. The largest-ever convention of dolphin experts includedโ€ฆ

  • Environment NewsThailand’s marine life is rebounding during Covid-19 crisis

    Thailandโ€™s marine life is rebounding during Covid-19 crisis

    The Marine National Park in the southern province of Trang spotted 4 dugongs, 4 dolphins and 8 sea turtles offshore near Hat Chao Mai National Park. The MNP and Hat Chao Mai National Park conducted the observation by sea and air covering the areas abundant with seagrass around Yong Lam Beach, Yong Ling Beach, and Ko Muk. The dugong podโ€ฆ

  • Environment NewsAnother dead dugong found off the coast of Trang

    Another dead dugong found off the coast of Trang

    PHOTO: The baby dugong Mariam, who brought a lot of publicity to the plight of the local dugong population, died in August Another dead dugong has been discovered floating in the Andaman Sea, between Koh Ya in Trang and Koh Ngai Island in Krabi. The corpse was discovered yesterday by a local tour boat. Itโ€™s been a bad year forโ€ฆ

  • Environment NewsLeonardo’s Instagram post draws attention to Thailand’s dugongs

    Leonardoโ€™s Instagram post draws attention to Thailandโ€™s dugongs

    Hollywood star, environmentalist and Instagrammer, Leonardo DiCaprio, has posted the story of Marium the baby dugong in Thailand who died after ingesting plastic. โ€œA beloved baby marine mammal in Thailand has died after consuming plastic and experiencing shock,โ€ he wrote in his instagram post, referring to Thai officialsโ€™ announcement on Saturday of the death of the dugong. โ€œThe young dugong,โ€ฆ

  • Environment NewsAnother baby dugong dies in Thailand

    Another baby dugong dies in Thailand

    PHOTO: Thai PBS World The Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) revealed on Thursday that Yamil, the dugong being cared for in Phuket after being found stranded on a Krabi beach, has died. It was brought to Vachira Hospital at 5.00pm for a planned endoscopy to remove a large amount of seagrass stuck in its stomach. The medical team used waterโ€ฆ

  • Environment NewsThe second baby dugong โ€˜Yamilโ€™ dies in Phuket

    The second baby dugong โ€˜Yamilโ€™ dies in Phuket

    The second young dugong, being cared for by vets at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, has died. Yamil, the baby dugong stranded on a Krabi beach on July 1, died of โ€œshock and cardiac arrestโ€ last night (Thursday) after suffering indigestion and gastroparesis. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources report that Yamil was sent from the Phuket Marine Biologicalโ€ฆ

  • Environment NewsEnvironment Ministry wants to increase dugong populations by 50% over a decade

    Environment Ministry wants to increase dugong populations by 50% over a decade

    โ€œDr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat says that trash in the seas was the main cause of the death of many endangered marine species.โ€ Pinsak Suraswadi, deputy director-general of the Marine and Coastal Resources Department, says the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment wants to increase the population of dugong in Thailandโ€™s waters by 50% in the next ten years. The effort willโ€ฆ

  • Environment News25 year old dugong washes ashore in Krabi

    25 year old dugong washes ashore in Krabi

    PHOTO: Sitthichai Sikhawat A 240 kilogram, 2.6 metre long adult male dugong has been found dead after being washed up on Rai Lay Bay in Krabi yesterday afternoon. The announcement was made by Hat Noppharat Tharaโ€“Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park head Worapot Limlom. The dugong, thought to be around 25 years old, was swept ashore at Ton Sai Beachโ€ฆ

  • Environment NewsMarium, the baby dugong internet star, dies. Plastic found in stomach.

    Marium, the baby dugong internet star, dies. Plastic found in stomach.

    The orphaned female baby dugong, winning the hearts of many and helping to educate Thais about the importance of the local dugong population, has died with plastic waste lining its stomach, prompting a surge of mourning on social media. Marium was found in April off the coast of Krabi, southern Thailand, and photos of her nuzzling marine biologists quickly wentโ€ฆ

  • Environment NewsMariam the young Krabi dugong dies

    Mariam the young Krabi dugong dies

    PHOTO: เธเธฃเธกเธ—เธฃเธฑเธžเธขเธฒเธเธฃเธ—เธฒเธ‡เธ—เธฐเน€เธฅเนเธฅเธฐเธŠเธฒเธขเธเธฑเนˆเธ‡ The Phuket Marine Biological Centre has announced the sad news about the special young dugong โ€˜Mariamโ€™, who was found in Krabi back on April 26. Young Mariam died earlier today. The centre posted on its official Facebook page that the vet team found that sheโ€™d stopped breathing and her pulse had stopped as well, so they brought herโ€ฆ

  • Environment NewsKoh Phi Phi dugong died from a gastrointestinal infection

    Koh Phi Phi dugong died from a gastrointestinal infection

    PHOTO: Department of National Parks, Wildlife & Plant Conservation Another dead dugong was discovered over the weekend off Koh Phi Phi in Krabi province. Department of Marine and Coastal Resources veterinarians have determined the death was caused by stomach infection and chronic inflammation of the intestines. Another was found off the coast of Trang on the weekend as well. Theโ€ฆ

  • Environment NewsVisiting time to see baby dugong Mariam is now restricted

    Visiting time to see baby dugong Mariam is now restricted

    Tourists and local well-wishers are flocking to get a glimpse of โ€˜Mariamโ€™. Sheโ€™s become an internet hit. But thatโ€™s also caused other problems. The high number of Thai and foreign tourists heading to Duyong Bay in Tambon Koh Libong in Kantang district, Trang, to watch officials looking after seven month old orphan dugong Mariam is prompting authorities to issue regulations toโ€ฆ

  • Phuket NewsPM opens Chalong Underpass, visits Yamil and Navy Area 3, Phuket

    PM opens Chalong Underpass, visits Yamil and Navy Area 3, Phuket

    The Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, arrived at the PPAO Muang Phuket School in Rawai this morning to conduct the official opening of the Chalong Underpass, after 4 years of prolonged construction. Phuket officials the Rawai Mayor, Aroon Solos and Chalong Mayor, Samran Jindapon, welcomed Gen Prayuth who was accompanied by the PM Office team from Bangkok. https://www.facebook.com/prd5surat/videos/918746461798027/ Locals from Chalongโ€ฆ

  • Environment NewsCompetition to name dugong calf in Phuket

    Competition to name dugong calf in Phuket

    PHOTO: เธเธฃเธกเธ—เธฃเธฑเธžเธขเธฒเธเธฃเธ—เธฒเธ‡เธ—เธฐเน€เธฅเนเธฅเธฐเธŠเธฒเธขเธเธฑเนˆเธ‡ The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources in Phuket is inviting members of the public to participate in a contest to name an orphaned baby dugong, found stranded on a beach in Krabi. The dugong calf is now under the care of DMCR vets to save rare marine animals in Phuket. Jatuporn Buruspat, the departmentโ€™s director-general visited theโ€ฆ

  • Environment NewsMariam Live – the Trang baby dugong show

    Mariam Live โ€“ the Trang baby dugong show

    Mariam LIVE. Coming soon to your laptop or smartphone. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) is preparing to live stream the daily life of the orphaned baby dugong Mariam currently being nursed at Koh Libong in Trang province. Mariam, now six months old and weighing 30 kilograms, is the latest internet star after being rescued in Krabi onโ€ฆ

  • Krabi NewsBaby dugong rescued in Krabi, taken back to its Trang home – VIDEO

    Baby dugong rescued in Krabi, taken back to its Trang home โ€“ VIDEO

    PHOTOS/VIDEO: DMCR A baby dugong, found on a Krabi beach, has been taken back to its home. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources is reporting that yesterday the dugong was taken back to its home in Trang. โ€œThe dugong is aged around two to three years old. It is 120 centimetres long. No wounds were found on the dugong.โ€ฆ