Conservation status of the globally Vulnerable Dugong Dugong dug on (Müller, 1776) (Sirenia: Dugongidae) in the coastal waters of Kalpitiya area in Sri Lanka

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Published: Jan 26, 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o2235.1485-9

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D.M.S.S. Karunarathna
M.A.J.S. Navaratne
W.P.N. Perera
V.A.P. Samarawickrama

Abstract

In Sri Lanka over the past 30 years Dugong Dugong dugon numbers have declined dramatically and sightings are now very rare for this species, currently listed as a globally vulnerable. Dugongs are social animals that are broadly coincident with the sea grasses they prefer for forage, primarily the genera Halodule and Halophila. This study was conducted to determine threats, conservation, populations, habitat selection and habitat availability of dugongs in the Kalpitiya and Puttalama areas. The small resident population is known to exist in just two remaining areas in Kalpitiya and Uchchamunei. Our survey indicated that dugongs were being killed at the rate of one every four months. A systematic research on this vulnerable marine mammal should be initiated to document its current distribution in the area, habitat status, breeding and migration patterns, if any. Also there is a strong potential for declaring a marine and coastal Ramsar site for dugongs.

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2011)
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Notes

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