Phuket —
Nearly 20 dugongs were recently spotted swimming into Pa Khlok Bay in Phuket to feed on seagrass and experimental food plots. Meanwhile, four dugongs were seen grazing on seagrass at Bang Kwan Bay and the Sarasin Bridge in Phang Nga.
Following a crisis in the Andaman Sea that severely affected a population of dugongs, many dugongs were forced to migrate in search of food. However, at Rawai Beach, three dugongs were recently spotted near the pier eating a small patch of seagrass.
The seagrass is insufficient, so the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has planted vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, water spinach, kale, lettuce, and seaweed to provide more food to the animals. This project began on November 2nd, and by November 8th, the dugongs had consumed all the food provided. Among them was a large dugong known as “Whiteback.”
Additionally, on November 11th, the Facebook page “Flying Phuket” shared a video of a herd of over 20 dugongs swimming near the Bang Rong Pier in Phuket. Normally, only 4-5 dugongs are seen in the area, so it’s believed this herd migrated in search of food. Around 60% of Pa Khlok Bay still has seagrass, which provides a suitable habitat for them.
Moreover, four dugongs have been sighted at Bang Kwan Bay and the Sarasin Bridge in Phang Nga province. From November 1st to the 9th, a swimmer reported an increasing number of dugongs feeding on seagrass in the area.
Initially, only one dugong was seen in this area, but the number has now grown to four. Still, concerns have been raised that the increasing number of feeding dugongs may soon deplete the seagrass, and local fishermen have set nets in the area, which could pose a danger to the dugongs.
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