8 dugongs from the Andaman coast were killed in October.
This past October was the deadliest month for dugongs in the Andaman Sea, with eight dugongs killed. The causes of death were identified as being tied to ropes and illnesses believed to be caused by deteriorating seagrass.
In October (1-24 October 2014), the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) was notified of a total of 8 dugong strandings, consisting of 1 live dugong that died the following day, and 7 carcasses that stranded, including:
-1 fresh carcass
-6 rotten carcass
The provinces where the dugongs were found stranded were Phuket (2), Krabi (1), Trang (2), and Satun (3). Autopsies found that 4 were male and 4 were female dugongs. Most of the dugongs that died were juveniles (5) and adults (3).
The cause of death of four dugongs stranded could not be determined because the carcasses were very decomposed, three were sick, and one was suspected to have been caught in fishing equipment because there were rope marks around the body. Dugongs stranded due to illness were found to be thin, with no food found in their digestive tract or only a small amount, which may have resulted from the deterioration of sea grass.
Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, was assigned by Dr. Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, to urgently send academics, researchers, and officials to the area to monitor and survey the dugong population and rare marine animals, including sea grass areas along the Andaman coastline, in order to monitor the overall situation of the population and distribution of all dugongs, to compile a database and determine guidelines and measures for the conservation and care of dugongs and rare marine animals. In addition, we ask for cooperation from tour boats and fishing boats in the area to be more careful while driving their boats to prevent harm to marine animals. If anyone sees a rare marine animal, they can contact the Forest and Sea Protection Hotline at 1362.
References
Related posts:
