Sea cows or dugong are ‘functionally extinct’ in China

Sea cow or dugong are considered a critically endangered species in the Philippines and programs are in place for the protection of the species.

Meanwhile, research have shown that the sea cows are already considered “functionally extinct” in China.

This was among the results of a research conducted by the Zoological Society of London and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, according to #KuyaKimAnoNa segment on Tuesday's “24 Oras.”

“‘Di na nila napeperform yung ecological function nila in the environment. Isa sa mga major threats sa population ng dugong, nahuhuli sila by catch. Number two yung degradation ng habitat,” said marine biologist Dr. AA Yaptinchay.

(They [dugong] no longer perform their ecological function int he environment. One of the major threats in the population of the dugong is that they are being caught. Number two [cause] is the degradation of their habitat.)

Sea cows are considered critically endangered in the Philippines. There were six sea cows that were monitored in Sarangani Bay from August 31 to September 2, signifying that there is still hope.

“During monitoring period natin, nakikita natin sila very relaxed. Calm lang sila nagfi-feed. Recently, may nakikita tayong mga baby na dugong, nagfi-feed sa mother dugong,” said SBPS-PAMO’s in-house veterinarian Dr. Roy Mejorada.

(During our monitoring activities, we have observed that they are relaxed. They are calm while they feed. Recently, we have observed a baby dugong that is feeding with a mother dugong.)

Among marine diversity conservation programs is the classification of the sea cows as marine protected mammals as there are stricter measures to also protect their habitats, especially the sea grass bed. -- Franchesca Viernes/BAP, GMA News