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Kenya: Carcass of Rare Dugong Found in Lamu

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6 years ago

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A carcass of the endangered dugong, a marine mammal that eats seagrass, has been found by conservancy rangers at Pezali area in Shanga-Rubu on Pate Island, Lamu County.

Dugongs, also known as sea cows or nguva in Kiswahili, are large grey marine mammals which are related to elephants.

The rare species of marine mammals give birth to young ones and breastfeed their calves.

They have a whale-like flat tail and flippers that move up and down.

Confirming the spotting on Sunday, Pate Marine Community Conservancy (PMCC) Manager Nadhir Hashim said the rare mammal’s carcass was found by one Athman Shee Kupi, a corporal working at the conservancy.

The carcass estimated to be two to three days old was found lying in a mangrove forest.

The spotting of the Dugong sparked both sadness and excitement among fishermen and locals who showed up in the area to see the rare animal.

According to Mr Hashim, the endangered mammal species had not been sighted in Kenya’s coastal waters for years.

He said the cause of death of the Dugong is yet to be established though he suspects it might have been trapped in mangroves or consumed toxic plastic since the stomach did not appear normal.

“The carcass of the Dugong weighs about 200 kilogrammes and is approximately 6.5 feet tall. We’re yet to establish the real cause of its death but I suspect it might have eaten toxic plastic or trapped in mangroves before it died,” said Mr Hashim.

The PMCC’s Manager insisted on the need for concerted effort from all to ensure endangered species of animals, including dugongs, are well protected along the Kenyan Coast and the world at large.