Thailand is vowing to do better for dugongs. The government said it will roll out new measures to safeguard the gentle marine mammals, which have been classified as vulnerable to extinction, after several were recently found dead along the southern coast.

Researchers said the likely cause of the dugongs’ demise was the erosion of sea grasses along the coast, the main source of food for the creatures. The steady disappearance of the underwater meadows has been forcing the dugongs to migrate into areas where they have been accidentally caught in fishing nets and fallen victim to other hazards.

Fishers don’t deliberately catch dugongs, which are similar to manatees with a plump body shape and a whale-like appearance. Dugongs, which are herbivores, are sometimes called sea cows because of their grazing behavior. Researchers also said that marine plastic pollution, a problem that has led to the deaths of some other sea mammals, was not the culprit in the recent dugong deaths.

In response to the deteriorating situation, the Thai government announced on January 2 that it will take four actions.

First, it will conduct a survey of the dugong population and include the use of fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicles. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on said adding the technology will make the survey more accurate. Even better, it will also allow a closer examination of dugongs' health and identify ones which may be ill and need help.

Second, the ministry will declare certain marine areas temporary dugong protection zones, where activities deemed harmful to dugongs will likely be prohibited.

Third, the ministry will formulate a plan to deal with the depletion of seagrass by supplementing dugong's natural food with other types of food. It will also separate ill or starving dugongs from their herd and treat them at makeshift isolation pools in the sea.

Lastly, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will set up joint operations centers to protect dugongs.

Photo courtesy of  https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2932151/raft-of-new-measures-to-save-dugongs