|
2005. Detailed
studies of the dugong in Arabia clearly show it is
vulnerable to extinction on a worldwide scale. The Red
Sea population is estimated at up to 4,000 dugong. It
seems that they are no longer hunted systematically, but
are frequently taken as bycatch in trawls and nets and
their meat used for human consumption.
As slow swimmers
living in shallow water, dugong also suffer from the
increasing use of motor boats, which may easily injure
them near the water surface. Destruction of seagrass
beds poses an additional threat.
Opposite: Sad sight. Pair of dugong at Steamer
Point - note the Hogg
Clock Tower in the background. It appears
these examples had already been stuffed and then
returned to the 'jetty' for photographing. |
