Wildlife

Dugong Welfare: Seagrass Decline Across the Indo-Pacific

Dugongs, the sea cows of the Indo-Pacific, face starvation as seagrass meadows decline from coastal development, water quality deterioration and climate change.

Key Facts

Dugongs are listed as Vulnerable with some regional populations Critically Endangered
The species depends almost entirely on seagrass for nutrition
Dugongs must consume 25-35 kg of seagrass daily to survive
Shark Bay, Australia holds the largest remaining population of around 10,000

Welfare Considerations

Seagrass loss forces dugongs to travel greater distances for food, causing nutritional stress, reduced reproductive rates and increased calf mortality. Boat strikes are a major cause of injury and death for animals spending extended time at the surface to feed. Bycatch in shark nets causes drowning. In areas of severe seagrass loss, mass dugong mortality events have been recorded, with affected animals showing emaciation and organ failure before death.

What You Can Do

Support WWF Australia dugong and seagrass monitoring programmes
Advocate for seagrass restoration funding in dugong habitat
Donate to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority seagrass projects
Raise awareness of dugong as seagrass ecosystem indicator species