Manatees & Dugongs on the EDGE of Existence

Dugongs and Amazonian manatees have been listed among the Top 100 Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered Mammals on Earth, according to The EDGE of Existence Programme, a project to help save the worlds most extraordinary and threatened species.

For those of us who focus our research, education, and conservation efforts on the Order Sirenia, this is certainly not news. We know only too well how unique and endangered our elusive 'mermaids' are on a global scale. With the new dugong exhibit at London's Natural History Museum, thousands of visitors each day will learn more about the plight of the only 4 extant species in this evolutionarily distinct Order. Kudos to EDGE and the NHM in London!