Dugong
The first marine mammal to be protected in the Philippines was the dugong, although monitoring this is difficult. Palau has legislated to protect dugongs, although this is not well enforced and poaching persists.
Dugong News
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Busuanga's Dugong Watching Educates Tourists On Species Seagrass Habitat Conservation
There's more to Busuanga than its famed Calauit Safari Park. Off the northern coast of Calauit Island, tourist boats line up as spectators dive into the shallow teal waters to see the charismatic dugong grazing on the seagrass meadows.
Dugong watching has become a new thing in Busuanga since it was opened to tourists recently. Interestingly, it's sustainably managed by the indigenous Tagbanua people who have realized the need to protect this critically endangered mammal.
"In the past, our ancestors had been consuming them as food. But when we're made aware of the wildlife law and their c ... -
Dugong, Nakulong Sa Baklad Sa Palawan
Nakulong sa loob ng baklad ang isang dugong nang makita ng ilang residente sa Barangay Tumarbong, Roxas, Palawan nitong Lunes.
Agad na inireport sa mga opisyal ng barangay at fisheries technician ang insidente. Pinayuhan ang mga residente na pakawalan ang dugong.
Ayon sa Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), tinatawag na stranding o beaching ang ganitong insidente.
Nangyayari ito kapag na-disorient ang marine mammals gaya ng dugong, whales, at dolphins.
"Kasi yun yung sinusundan nila, or naka-ingest sila ng plastic, o nasugatan sila. Nawawalan sila ng direksyon. Once ... -
Stranded Dugong Calf Is Placed Under Intensive Care In Busuanga
A recently stranded 105-centimeter male dugong (sea cow) calf has been placed under intensive care by environmental authorities in Busuanga town, northern Palawan, in an attempt to save its life.
Named "Bughaw", the young sea cow was found stranded on April 7 on a beach in Barangay Bogtong, Busuanga, without its mother.
Reynante Ramilo, program coordinator of C3 Philippines, a Busuanga-based non-government organization (NGO) concentrating on dugong conservation in the province told Palawan News this Saturday that even though an orphaned dugong calf has a minimal-to-zero chance of surviva ... -
Dugong Watching Tour Now Open In Calauit
A sea cow (dugong) watching tour is now open to the public in Calauit Island, Busuanga in northern Palawan.
Fredel Bacones Mued, a representative for the Tagbanua indigenous peoples (IP) in Busuanga town, said Friday that the new attraction is part of the local government?s overall eco-agriculture tourism plan this year
"Bago tayo nagsimula ng activity na ito, nagpatawag tayo ng stakeholder's meeting [and] interagency meeting. In-invite natin "yong mga concerned agencies about environment and wildlife, "yong Department of Environment and Natural Resources at [iba pang] mga ahensya, mga r ... -
How Tagbanua Tribesmen Protect The 'Mermaids' Of Palawan
Wearing fins from recycled plastic containers, tough Tagbanua tribesmen have become the protectors of the dugong, those gentle marine mammals that have become prey to poachers in Northern Palawan.
The dugong (scientific name: Dugong dugon) is legally protected by Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, because aside from being occasionally hunted, the mammals often drown after becoming entangled in fishing nets.
"We're here to safeguard about 30 dugong," said Deave, a Tagbanua tribesman enlisted as both spotter and guard against poachers and ille ... -
Dugong Released Back To Sea In Brookes Point
Fishermen in Brooke's Point town released back into the waters of a marine protected area (MPA) in Barangay Maasin a live female "dugong" (sea cow) which got accidentally caught in their fishing net on November 5.
Richen Mission Bajar, administrative aide of the Office of Municipal Agriculturist of Brooke's Point, said Wednesday on her social media account post that the mammal which weighed around 200 kilos was also released on the same day it was accidentally caught.
She said it was caught by chance by the fishermen using a beach seine (sinoro) gear.
"The lucky female sea cow was sec ...