Considered as an inspiration for the myth of mermaids and sirens, the dugong is a species of sea cows found through the warm latitudes of the Indian and western Pacific oceans.
With an average life span of 70 years, these large animals, often reaching lengths of more than 13 feet, are the only existing species of herbivorous mammals that live exclusively in the sea. Dugongs primarily graze on sea grasses and therefore, spend most of their time on the sea grass beds. They reproduce via internal fertilization and give birth to large young, which they nurse for almost 18 months. Dugongs are very social creatures often occurring in either mother and calf pairs or herds of up to 200 individuals. Though they resemble whales and dolphins morphologically, they are believed to be descendants of land mammals and are actually one of the closest living relatives of the elephants.
Even though adult dugongs do not have any natural predators, however, the juveniles are sometimes eaten by saltwater crocodiles, killer whales and large, coastal sharks. The dugongs communicate with each other using sound and vision. Much like dolphins, dugongs use chirps, whistles and barks and other sounds that echo underwater for communication.
Dugongs have been hunted for their meat, oil, skin and bones over the years and bought by people for extremely high prices under the impression that they will reduce the body temperature. Once abundant in the Indian waters, dugong population has now reduced to about 200 individuals and is believed to be continuously declining in its number and range. Considered as ‘vulnerable’ by the IUCN, the dugong has some or complete legal protection throughout most of its range, but is still hunted in some places and is threatened by habitat destruction, collision with boats, and accidental capture in fisheries targeting other species throughout most of its range. World Dugong Day is observed on May 28 every year to raise awareness about this important species which continues to fight for its survival.
Without careful management of the human activities that threaten the dugong, it will surely follow the path of extinction just like its close relative the Steller’s sea cow which was hunted to extinction in the 1700s.
