Tragedy and Hope in Sarangani Bay: Pregnant Dugong Death Highlights Conservation Crisis
Pregnant Dugong Death in Sarangani Bay Sparks Conservation Alert

Tragedy and Hope in Sarangani Bay: Pregnant Dugong Death Highlights Conservation Crisis

The waters of Sarangani Bay have become a poignant stage for both sorrow and optimism this week. On February 7, 2026, marine authorities and residents of General Santos City were confronted with a heartbreaking scene: a 500-kilogram pregnant dugong, lifeless and washed ashore. This incident starkly illuminates the vulnerability of the region's critically endangered marine wildlife, casting a shadow over ongoing conservation efforts.

Details of the Dugong Stranding and Necropsy Findings

Reports from Bantay Dagat personnel and local residents suggest the dugong was initially alive when first spotted, adding to the tragedy of its demise. A necropsy conducted at the Marine Wildlife Rescue Center revealed that the animal was carrying a calf, with the adult estimated to weigh between 400 and 500 kilograms and possibly nearing delivery time. According to the resident veterinarian of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS), the dugong's internal organs appeared normal, showing no foreign objects or ingested materials that could have directly caused its death, leaving the exact cause under investigation.

Contrasting Sighting of a Mother and Calf Dugong

In a bittersweet turn, this incident occurred just a day after a more hopeful observation in Kiamba. On February 6, the Protected Area Management Office of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (PAMO-SBPS) documented a mother and calf dugong swimming in the bay. Observers noted natural behaviors such as nursing, signaling healthy interaction and reinforcing Sarangani Bay's vital role as a breeding and feeding ground for the species. SBPS officials commented, "These events illustrate both the successes of ongoing conservation efforts and the persistent threats faced by dugongs. While the mother-calf sighting offers hope, the death of a pregnant dugong is a stark reminder that these gentle marine mammals are still at risk."

Background on Dugongs and Their Conservation Status

Dugongs, scientifically known as Dugong dugon, are marine mammals closely related to manatees and are the only strictly herbivorous marine mammals in the Philippines. They feed almost exclusively on seagrass, making healthy seagrass beds essential for their survival. Key characteristics include:

  • They can live up to 70 years in the wild.
  • Females typically give birth to a single calf every three to seven years after a gestation period of around 13 months.
  • Calves nurse for over a year and remain close to their mothers, meaning the loss of adult females significantly impacts population recovery.

Globally, dugongs are found across the Indian and western Pacific Oceans in approximately 37 to 40 countries, with population estimates ranging from 70,000 to 100,000 individuals, though many are small, fragmented, and declining. In the Philippines, dugongs were historically widespread along the coastline, but numbers have drastically declined since the 1970s due to human activities. Today, small, fragmented populations persist in parts of Mindanao, Palawan, Guimaras, and Luzon waters, including Sarangani Bay, with estimates suggesting fewer than 200 dugongs remain in Philippine waters.

Threats to Dugongs and Conservation Efforts

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists dugongs as Vulnerable globally, while Philippine law classifies them as critically endangered under DAO 2019-09. They face numerous threats, including:

  1. Loss and degradation of seagrass meadows, with an estimated 30 to 50 percent of seagrass habitats lost in the Philippines over the past 50 years due to destructive fishing practices, sedimentation, pollution, and coastal development.
  2. Boat strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.
  3. Marine pollution from improper waste disposal.

Sarangani Bay remains a critical habitat for dugongs, providing essential feeding, breeding, and shelter areas. Authorities urge the public to play an active role in protection by:

  • Maintaining a safe distance when sighted.
  • Avoiding chasing or feeding them.
  • Reducing boat speeds in shallow waters.
  • Properly disposing of waste to prevent marine pollution.

Dugong sightings or strandings should be reported immediately to PAMO-SBPS or local authorities to aid in conservation efforts and ensure timely response.