Herd of dugongs sighted off the coast of Thai island
This aerial view photo shows dugongs sunning themselves beneath clear turquoise waters off the coast of southern Libong island. Image: Thailand’s National Marine Park Operation Center via AFP
Mesmerizing aerial images showed a herd of more than 30 dugongs drifting serenely off the coast of a Thai island on Wednesday.
Thailand’s tourism industry has taken a battering since the outbreak of the coronavirus, putting millions out of jobs after the pandemic paralyzed global travel.
But the slowdown in visitor foot traffic has brought a wildlife revival along shorelines and waterways, including reports this week of record numbers of leatherback turtle nests on the country’s deserted beaches.
Drone images released by the National Marine Park Operation Center showed the dugongs sunning themselves beneath clear turquoise waters off the coast of southern Libong island.
The slow-moving sea creatures, closely related to the manatee, are classified as a vulnerable species.
Thailand has not always been a safe haven for wildlife, with plastic waste choking marine life and water pollution from boat traffic damaging habitats.
Last year, an orphaned baby dugong was found stranded on a beach in southern Thailand, winning hearts nationwide as conservationists fought to keep it alive.
It died months later from an infection worsened by bits of rubbish lining its stomach, reviving the public debate on Thailand’s urgent need to tackle its plastic addiction. RGA
RELATED STORIES:
Thailand’s orphaned baby dugong becomes conservation star
Thai vets nurture lost baby dugong with milk and sea grass
For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
