Phuket Dugongs Die in Netting Nightmare

Phuketwan 17 Aug 10;

THIS baby dugong was one of two found dead on Sunday at Ko Yao Noi, off Phuket. Marine biologists said the female dugong was 2.7 metres while the baby was over a metre in length and about two years old.

The mother probably died first then the baby followed five days or so later, the marine biologists believe.

At Phuket Marine Biology Centre, an autopsy revealed sea grass food in their stomachs. It is believed the two dugongs were caught in a net and blinded.

Dr Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong said the two were the seventh and eights dugongs to die because of netting in the Andaman region this year.

It is hoped that the new plan for a conservation zone off Phuket will keep more dugongs alive. Their sea grass feeding beds have been affected by property development and damaging waste water run-offs.