Australia has the world's largest dugong population, but the mammals' low rate of reproduction means the species is vulnerable to extinction. PA
Dugongs and their environment need protection. Photo: Azraq
A dugong after it was found dead on a beach at Koh Lanta island, in Krabi province, southern Thailand. The female animal was about three metres long and weighed 300 kilograms. EPA
New research by the Zoological Society of London and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has led researchers to declare that one of the ocean's most gentle giants, the dugong, is now functionally extinct in China. PA
Marium, a baby dugong whose fight for recovery at Phuket Marine Biological Centre in Thailand won hearts and cast a spotlight on ocean conservation, died from an infection aggravated by bits of plastic lining her stomach. AFP
Dugong skull and mandibles. Victor Besa / The National
Dugong feed primarily on seagrass, which restricts their habitat to those places where seagrass meadows are found. PA
Thai Navy rescuers inspect a female dugong found dead on the beach at Koh Lanta island, southern Thailand. EPA
The dugong has been hunted for thousands of years and its population is fragmented and threatened as a result. PA
A dead dugong caught in a fisherman's net near Al Rideem, west of Abu Dhabi. Photo: Abu Dhabi Marine Conservation Group
The UAE environment agency's latest report revealed that 17 dugongs died last year, despite being protected under UAE law since 1999. AP
A rare dugong rescued by an Adnoc team after becoming entangled in an illegal fishing net. Photo: Adnoc
Residents of the UAE want the laws to protect marine species such as the dugong to be strictly enforced. Photo: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has the second-largest dugong population in the world. Photo: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
About 2,500 dugongs live off the coast of Abu Dhabi. AFP
About 80 dugong have been killed by illegal fishing practices in Abu Dhabi over the past four years. Photo: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
Australia has the world's largest dugong population, but the mammals' low rate of reproduction means the species is vulnerable to extinction. PA
Dugongs and their environment need protection. Photo: Azraq
A dugong after it was found dead on a beach at Koh Lanta island, in Krabi province, southern Thailand. The female animal was about three metres long and weighed 300 kilograms. EPA
New research by the Zoological Society of London and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has led researchers to declare that one of the ocean's most gentle giants, the dugong, is now functionally extinct in China. PA
Marium, a baby dugong whose fight for recovery at Phuket Marine Biological Centre in Thailand won hearts and cast a spotlight on ocean conservation, died from an infection aggravated by bits of plastic lining her stomach. AFP
Dugong skull and mandibles. Victor Besa / The National
Dugong feed primarily on seagrass, which restricts their habitat to those places where seagrass meadows are found. PA
Thai Navy rescuers inspect a female dugong found dead on the beach at Koh Lanta island, southern Thailand. EPA
The dugong has been hunted for thousands of years and its population is fragmented and threatened as a result. PA
A dead dugong caught in a fisherman's net near Al Rideem, west of Abu Dhabi. Photo: Abu Dhabi Marine Conservation Group
The UAE environment agency's latest report revealed that 17 dugongs died last year, despite being protected under UAE law since 1999. AP
A rare dugong rescued by an Adnoc team after becoming entangled in an illegal fishing net. Photo: Adnoc
Residents of the UAE want the laws to protect marine species such as the dugong to be strictly enforced. Photo: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has the second-largest dugong population in the world. Photo: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
About 2,500 dugongs live off the coast of Abu Dhabi. AFP
About 80 dugong have been killed by illegal fishing practices in Abu Dhabi over the past four years. Photo: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
Australia has the world's largest dugong population, but the mammals' low rate of reproduction means the species is vulnerable to extinction. PA
Dugong declared functionally extinct in China - in pictures
