BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A female dugong (sea cow), estimated to weigh 350 kilos and measuring 2.95 meters long, was found dead on July 18 at the Macahulom Reef in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
Based on the reports of City Veterinary and Agriculture offices, there were no injuries and external lesions found in the body of the sea cow which was discovered by Bantay Dagat volunteers Dionesio Pahayahay, Francis Gopio, and Paolo Hulleza, while on duty at the Macahulom Watchtower.
Upon its transport to the Old Sagay Feeder Port, further external examination was collaboratively performed by Protected Area Superintendent Mayo Antonio Cueva, EMS II Roberto Togle, Dr. Baltazar Delorino, Christoper Fernandez and Dina David-Lagutin.
This is the second time a sea cow had been stranded at the Macahulom Reef since the year 2000.
The dugong is the only surviving species from the family of Dugongidae, one of the indicator species inhabiting the coasts of northern Negros Occidental, particularly Sagay City.
Due to its strategic location bounded by marine channels and migratory paths such as Asuncion Pass, Visayan Sea, and the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape respectively, and as a bountiful, pristine and strongly protected marine habitat, dugong have been reported lingering in the area.
The marine mammal is considered very rare and threatened, having been listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
The carcass was turned over to Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology for future collection of data and specimens which can provide critical elements of information for research and development of management strategies.*
