Dugong (Seacow)
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Dugongs are a protected species in Australia, only traditionally hunted by
the Aborigines.
Dugongs only live where thee is seagrass, which is being destroyed by
dredging and farm soil being washed into the sea, as well as pollution
Dugongs like dolphins are also accidental victims to large net fishing
On our Great Barrier Reef the Dugong population in 1987 was approax 3,500,
in 4 years (1991) the ppulation was halved to 1,700
Dugongs are definitly an endanged species and are close to extinction as
can be testified by the world wide numbers below
World Wide
Arabian (Persian) Gulf
hosts the world's second largest population of
dugong, thought to number at least 5,000 to 6,000.
Red Sea
estimate is about 4,000
East Africa
from Somalia down to Mozambique, occur in hundreds,
Pacific Ocean
Vanuatu (estimated population 400), Palau (under 200), the Solomons etc.
Southern Asia
very small numbers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Papua-New Guinea, Philippines
LINKS
...
thanks to NATHALIE from Kathmandu, Nepal
Facts about Dugongs(Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority)
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