Dugong Mariam stranded again after ebb tide

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BANGKOK, 21 June 2019 (NNT) - The authorities accelerated installation of buoys in front of Duyong Bay to mark the area where all types of vessels are prohibited from entering because they may be dangerous to the dugong while the baby dugong Mariam are still stranded after the ebb tide.

 

On the Facebook page of the Public Relations and Dissemination Division, the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), a video clip showing the authorities helping the stranded baby dugong Mariam is posted with a cute caption saying "Mariam arrived at 4 a.m. today”. The Libong Islands Non-Hunting Area officials together with the officials of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), administrative authorities and the Subdistrict Administrative have been monitoring the baby dugong Mariam which was found stranded in front of Khao Batoo. The authorities brought her to the deep water channel until it is safe.

 

Mr. Chaiyaphruek Weerawong, head of the Libong Islands Non-Hunting Area, ordered the Libong Islands Non-Hunting Area officials to install additional orange buoys in the sea in front of Duyong bay, 150 meters from the shore, for a distance of 200 meters to mark the area where all types of vessels are prohibited from entering because it is the area for caring for the little dugong because "Mariam" is familiar with all types of boats. When a boat approaches, she will swim to snuggle it because she takes it as her mother so he is afraid that she will be hit by a boat or hurt by a fishing boat propeller.

 

He added that it is necessary to prevent Mariam from being stranded because she doesn’t know the tidal currents. Initially, an orange canoe will be placed in the deep water channel at night so that "Mariam" will stay there and will be stranded. More buoys will be installed to designate the safety zone for the safety of the baby dugong "Mariam".

 

-- © Copyright nnt 2019-06-22

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Nice to see active safety measures taken. Dugongs are listed as a Threatened and Vulnerable species. Not yet endangered, but sadly that will probably be the next classification of their status as populations are diminishing. ???? HOWEVER there may still be hope. A similar sea creature of the same order...the Manatee...has recently been taken off The Endangered List! It's status has been improved to "only" Threatened. Still worrisome, but a positive step nonetheless.