dugong

The dugong (Dugong dugon) — often called a “sea cow” — is a large, slow‑moving marine mammal uniquely adapted to feed on seagrass meadows in warm, shallow coastal waters of the Indo‑Pacific region. Adults typically measure about 2.2–3.4 meters in length and weigh between 230 and 420 kilograms, with a broad, bristled snout for grazing and a dolphin‑like tail for propulsion. Dugongs are strictly marine herbivores and are the only surviving member of the family Dugongidae, with a lineage extending back millions of years. They are long‑lived (50–70+ years) and have a slow reproductive rate, giving birth to a single calf after a long gestation and only reaching sexual maturity after many years, factors that make them particularly sensitive to increased mortality. Historically, dugongs were widespread from east Africa to the western Pacific, but their numbers have declined across much of their range due to habitat degradation, seagrass loss, bycatch in fishing gear, and boat strikes. Some regional subpopulations are now very small or functionally extinct, while others, such as in northwestern Australia, remain more robust but still face ongoing threats. As a result, the species is classified as Vulnerable to extinction globally, and conservation efforts focus on protecting critical seagrass habitats, reducing fishing impacts, and monitoring populations to prevent further decline.