Thursday, January 03, 2008

News from Elandra, our Dugong Ambassador: Australia and EAD

Manatee and dugong populations around the world continue to be threatened with extinction, primarily due to unsustainable human activities. News from around the world is gathered by our Mermaid Ambassadors, Conch, Maya, Yara, Elandra, and Bahari. Here are two stories gathered this month by Elandra, our Dugong Mermaid Ambassdor:

Dugong Rescue in Australia
© The Daily News, January 2008, http://www.thedaily.com.au

By Sam Benger - Beachgoers aren’t the only ones being affected by the wild weather conditions on the Coast this week – a 300kg dugong was stranded in shallow water off the northern top of Bribie Island on Wednesday. The mammal was spotted by Caloundra City lifeguards patrolling Bulcock Beach and rescue crews were immediately called to help the dugong into deeper water. The Australia Zoo Rescue Unit, along with a vet from the Australian Wildlife Hospital and Queensland Parks and Wildlife officers, headed out in wet and windy conditions to help save the struggling dugong. Rescue unit manager Brian Coulter said the dugong was stranded by a dropping tide, about 200m from deeper water, but showed no signs of injury and was in a good condition, which assisted the rescue efforts. The rescue team put the two-metre long, 300kg animal in a sling and physically carried it over to the deeper water. and waded with it for a short time to ensure it had its energy back. “After a short time, he took off like a rocket,” Brian said...
For full story and images see http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/jan/04/dugong-rescued/


Endangered Dugongs killed by driftnets in Abu Dhabi
© Wildlife Extra, December 2007, http://www.wildlifeextra.com

A team of field scientists from the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) discovered two dugongs trapped in an abandoned drift Gillnet, close to Abu Al Abyad Island. "This discovery clearly demonstrates once again the vulnerability of these majestic animals to human threats. We call on the community once again to help support our efforts in protecting this endangered treasure," said Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD.
For the full story and images (discretion advised, images are of dead, entangled dugongs) see http://www.wildlifeextra.com/dugongs-killed768.html

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