DUGONG AND SEAGRASS RESEARCH

Our main project focused on the dugong, Dugong dugon, Palau’s most endangered animal, whose population has declined significantly in recent years due to hunting. C3 collected information on dugong feeding areas by mapping and describing seagrass communities in the Malakal Harbor area, a site known to be an important feeding ground. We mapped the area using aerial photographs, manta-towing and underwater transects. We also participated as observers in a nationwide aerial survey of dugongs, conducted in March 2003 and spotted groups of dugongs around Ngederrak Reef (one of our survey sites).

OCT 2002 - Study of Dugong Feeding Grounds

DFWP asks community help on protection of dugongs

Left: Aerial photograph of Ngederrak Reef , courtesy of the Coral Reef Research Foundation. Our seagrass data was overlaid using Geographical Information System  software (Photo: Dr.P.Colin, CRRF).

In 1998, a dugong calf was found tied by its tail to a mangrove tree and was taken by Fish & Wildlife Rangers and frozen so that later it could be stuffed and used for educational purposes. We took skin samples from this animal and sent them to researchers at James Cook University (JCU) in Australia for genetic studies.   

In December 2002 Fish & Wildlife Rangers found an adult female dugong floating off the shore at Meyuns. C3 conducted an autopsy and took tissue samples to send to JCU for genetic studies and for information on the animal's reproductive history. The animal appeared to have drowned but there were no obvious signs of disease. It is possible that she was chased by poachers and died from exhaustion. She had been feeding prior to death and 30 lbs of sea grass were found in her stomach. We are currently examining the stomach contents to find out what species of seagrass the animal was feeding on. Another necropsy was conducted on a young male dugong which was killed, possibly by collision with a boat in March 2003

Davis PZR, Kuartei J (2005) SIRENIAN INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTS DUGONGS IN PALAU. Sirenian Voice November 2005

Davis PZR (2004) CURRENT STATUS OF KNOWLEDGE OF DUGONGS IN PALAU: A REVIEW AND PROJECT SUMMARY REPORT. The Nature Conservancy Pacific Island Countries Report No. 7/04. 44pp

Community Centered Conservation (C3) (2003) DUGONG AND SEAGRASS IN MALAKAL HARBOR, KOROR, REPUBLIC OF PALAU: CURRENT STATUS AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS. C3 Technical Report Series No. 3. ISSN 1754-5188. Community Centred Conservation (C3), London, UK. 24pp

Right:  C3 organizes an autopsy of an adult female dugong - JICA , DFW & BMR

This project was generously funded by Sirenian International and Marine Resources Pacific Consortium (MAREPAC), Palau. In-kind support through provision of equipment was offered by Palau Conservation Society and Coral Reef Research Foundation. C3 was also commissioned by The Nature Conservancy to produce a Status of Knowledge Report on dugongs in Palau.