The Dugongs of the Great Barrier Reef | Great Barrier Reef

Summary

Dugongs, also known as sea cows, are gentle creatures related to elephants, weighing up to half a ton and consuming large amounts of seagrass daily. Despite their peaceful nature, they face numerous threats from accidental trapping in fishing nets and hunting for their meat. The dugong population in the southern Great Barrier Reef has decreased by 50% in the last decade, with only 11,000 left in the region. Dugongs, however, are still more abundant in Australian waters than anywhere else on Earth, making their conservation crucial.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dugongs, also known as sea cows, are marine mammals closely related to elephants.
• 😀 Dugongs can weigh nearly half a ton and consume up to 90 pounds of seagrass daily.
• 😀 Dugongs have faced ongoing challenges in their relationship with humans.
• 😀 Dugongs are often unintentionally trapped in fishing nets and shark protection barriers.
• 😀 Aboriginal hunters have historically targeted dugongs for their meat.
• 😀 The dugong population recovers slowly, with a baby born only every three to seven years.
• 😀 Female dugongs do not reproduce until they are around 17 years old.
• 😀 In the last decade, the dugong population in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef has decreased by 50%.
• 😀 There are now only 11,000 dugongs left in the entire Great Barrier Reef region.
• 😀 Despite the decline, Australian waters still have the largest dugong population on Earth.

Q & A

What are dugongs also known as?

Dugongs are also known as sea cows.

How are dugongs related to elephants?

Dugongs are relatives of elephants, sharing a common ancestor.

What is the average weight of a dugong?

A dugong can weigh nearly half a ton.

How much seagrass does a dugong eat daily?

A dugong can eat 90 pounds of seagrass a day.

What challenges have dugongs faced in relation to humans?

Dugongs have faced challenges such as accidental trapping in fishing nets and shark protection barriers, and hunting by Aboriginal hunters for their meat.

Why is the recovery of the dugong population slow?

The recovery of the dugong population is slow because a female dugong only gives birth to one baby every three to seven years, and they can't reproduce until around the age of 17.

By what percentage has the dugong population dropped in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef over the last decade?

The dugong population in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef has dropped by 50% in the last decade.

How many dugongs are left in the entire Great Barrier Reef region?

There are only 11,000 dugongs left in the entire Great Barrier Reef region.

Where in the world are dugongs found in the largest numbers?

Australia has the largest number of dugongs, with more of them in Australian waters than any other place on Earth.

Why is the dugong population in the Great Barrier Reef significant?

The dugong population in the Great Barrier Reef is significant because it represents one of the last remaining large populations of dugongs, making their conservation crucial.