Dugongs are entirely dependent on seagrass meadows for food, making them acutely vulnerable to seagrass loss from coastal development and climate change.
Dugongs in areas of seagrass decline face chronic nutritional stress as they must travel greater distances to find adequate food. Entanglement in fishing nets causes drowning as air-breathing animals unable to surface. Boat strikes cause propeller wounds similar to manatee injuries. Traditional hunting with harpoons causes acute and prolonged suffering. Calves separated from mothers by hunting or boat strikes face high mortality from inability to feed.