Brief Description
- The dugong is the only herbivorous marine mammal found in the Philippines, characterized by a distinct head shape and whale-like tail.
- As herbivores, dugongs spend most of their time grazing in seagrass. They can often be found grazing on shallow-water sea grass day and night.
- Dugongs are commonly referred to as “sea cows” because they use their strong, cleft upper lips to graze on seagrass, which they uproot from the seafloor.
Where are they found
- Confirmed sightings have been reported in Palawan province, Romblon, Guimaras, Davao Oriental, the Eastern Luzon coast, and the Southern Mindanao region.
- As herbivores, dugongs spend most of their time grazing in seagrass. They never enter freshwater. They can only stay underwater for six minutes before surfacing.
How do they contribute to our ecosystem?
- They help maintain the health of seagrass beds by controlling plant growth through grazing.
- Grazing on seagrass encourages the regrowth of seagrass meadows, therefore enabling it to be a conducive breeding ground for fish. In turn, this also benefits the livelihoods of small fishers.
Why are they in danger?
- Habitat destruction
- Irresponsible fishing practices
- Boat strikes
- Pollution
- Hunting practices
How will my donation help protect the Dugong?
Your donation drives vital conservation efforts to safeguard dugongs and their habitats by:
- Producing updated, science-based data on the status of dugongs to inform effective conservation strategies.
- Strengthening the skills and capacities of key individuals and communities to better manage and implement conservation projects.
- Identifying and protecting key habitats and establishing critical habitats and local conservation areas.
- Helping improve fishing practices and reducing accidental catches in fisheries.
- Understanding dugong populations to use as a basis for conservation strategies
