Dugongs are gentle marine mammals that graze on seagrass meadows. They face welfare threats from boat strikes, fishing net entanglement, and the destruction of seagrass through coastal development and runoff.
Dugong welfare is acutely threatened by boat strikes, which cause traumatic propeller injuries that may not be immediately fatal. Animals with propeller wounds may survive for extended periods in pain before dying. Net entanglement causes drowning. The destruction of seagrass through coastal runoff and development is a slower welfare harm - animals forced to travel further for food experience chronic nutritional stress. Seagrass restoration and boat speed zones in dugong habitat are among the most direct welfare interventions.