Dugong's Unlikely Return: Endangered Marine Mammal Spotted Near Taiwan's Shores

A Glimmer of Hope for the 'Sea Cow' as an Endangered Dugong Reappears After Decades

Taipei, Taiwan – A remarkable discovery has sparked excitement and hope for marine conservation efforts in Taiwan. A marine mammal, recently caught and subsequently released by a fisherman off the coast of Yilan County in northeastern Taiwan, has been confirmed as a dugong, an endangered species previously believed to be extinct in the surrounding waters.

The identification of the dugong, scientifically known as Dugong dugon, was confirmed by Jeng Ming-shiou (鄭明修), executive director of Academia Sinica's Biodiversity Research Center, after reviewing video footage released by a fisherman, Chen (陳). The mammal, estimated to be 3 meters long and weigh 500 kilograms, was found in Chen's catch.

The fisherman, Chen (陳), encountered the dugong approximately 800 meters off Fenniaolin fishing port in Yilan.

Jeng explained that the dugong is classified as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) on its Red List of Threatened Species. Within Taiwan, the species is currently listed as extinct.

The last confirmed sighting of a dugong in Taiwan was in 1986, when a deceased individual was discovered on Liuqiu Island, southwest of Kaohsiung. Prior to that, a dugong was reportedly caught by fishermen in northern Taiwan in 1937, according to the marine biologist.

The dugong's natural habitat primarily encompasses coastal and shallow waters, including regions near Japan's Ishigaki Island, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean, as highlighted by Jeng.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, as of the most recent assessment in 2015, indicates the dugong as extinct in both Mauritius and Taiwan.

A preserved specimen of the dugong found in 1986 is currently displayed at the National Taiwan Museum in Taipei. The museum also houses the skeleton of another dugong, dating back to the 1930s, providing a historical context for this rare species.