Sept. 30, 2005 — Dugongs living in the waters off Malaysia's south coast will be fitted with electronic tags as part of efforts to create sanctuaries for the endangered species, a U.N. official said Wednesday.

"Tagging them with transmitters will give us a better idea of (their movements). Are they stationary in one area or do they move around?" said U.N. Development Program official Ginny Ng.

Ng said the tagging by Malaysian scientists, to begin in the next few months, is part of the second phase of a conservation project launched six months ago. They do not know how many animals they will be able to tag.

Dugongs — large, herbivorous sea mammals — are mainly found in the shallow, warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region. Malaysia's main dugong habitats are off the coasts of southern Johor state and eastern Sabah state on the island of Borneo.

Ng said little research had been done into the mammals, which are known for their gentle nature, but the first phase of the project looking into their presence and habitats had yielded nine sightings in Johor waters.

"We were pleasantly surprised with the results of the study," she told AFP. "We also found the carcass of a pregnant female dugong, which shows the population is in some ways breeding."

Scientists are hoping the research findings into the dugongs and their seagrass feeding grounds will lead to the creation of sanctuaries off Johor, which faces onto Singapore.

"The Johor state government has actually put a paper to the cabinet that they want sanctuaries for dugongs in certain areas, but the process is still ongoing," Ng said.

Famously mistaken for mermaids by sailors, dugongs are marine-dwelling, herbivorous creatures that can live up to 60 years.

However they do not produce many offspring and populations are unlikely to increase at more than five percent a year, according to the United Nation’s Environment Program.

Coastal degradation, increasing shipping traffic, accidental capture in fishing nets and poaching are contributing to their declining numbers, it said.

The seal-like creatures, descended from terrestrial swamp browsers that lived 55 million years ago, can grow up to 3.5 meters (more than 11 feet) in length and weigh 400 kilograms (880 pounds).

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Name: Dugong, aka Sea Cow (Dugong dugon)
Primary Classification: Sirenia (Manatees and Dugongs)
Location: East Africa, southern Asia, Australia and Pacific islands.
Habitat: Shallow, tropical marine coastal waters.
Diet: Mostly sea grass. Also algae and occasionally crabs.
Size: Up to 13 ft in length and 1,985 lbs in weight.
Description: Slate gray in color; thick, hairless skin; crescent-shaped tail; short, paddle-shaped flippers; down-turned mouth with muscular, cleft upper lip.
Cool Facts: It is more closely related to elephants than to other marine mammals. Groups of 10 to 20 individuals will gather to intimidate or butt predators such as sharks.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Major Threats: Habitat loss, pollution, boat propellors, fishing nets and poaching.
What Can I Do?: Visit Sirenian International for information on how you can help.

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