Locals rescue injured baby dugong from beach in Thailand

Locals rescued an injured baby dugong stranded on a Thai island last week.

The Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center (Lower Andaman Sea) saved the marine creature after a tourist discovered it lying on the shores of Koh Poda island in Krabi province on August 10.

The male dugong, estimated to be around a month old, was given the codename '99' and transported to the Natural Resources and Environment Institute at Rajamangala University of Technology, Trang campus.

Animal rescuers said it was exhausted and dehydrated, with minor wounds on its head and nose. It was slightly thin for its age, and had a cloudy left eye, some moisture in its lungs, and 'constricted intestines'.

Despite its weakened condition, the baby dugong was healthy enough to swim, though staff said it had a slight list while gliding through the water.

X-ray scans found it was suffering from diarrhoea and gas build-up. Vets gave it meidication and were adjusting its diet accordingly.

The dugong was also made to do swimming exercises and given seagrass to mimic its natural behaviours in the wild.

In an August 18 update, the veterinary team said the dugong's weight had increased to a healthier 34.4 pounds. Its rehabilitation was ongoing.

The dugong is listed as 'Vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and is included in Appendix I of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Dugongs are gentle, herbivorous marine mammals that inhabit warm coastal waters, feeding mostly on seagrass. Sometimes called sea pigs, sea cows, or sea camels, they are closely related to manatees but are distinguished by their dolphin-like tails and their preference for shallow, tropical seas.