Four sea cows, known locally as dugong, were spotted foraging off Barangay Cablalan in Glan, Sarangani morning on Friday, May 31, 2024.

A drone camera of the Protected Area Management Office of Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (PAMO-SBPS) captured the three adults and a calf during the culmination of the Month of the Ocean celebration.

"Our ocean wants to remind us once again of its importance as a habitat for our marine wildlife, including our country's only vegetarian mammal, the dugong," SBPS Protected Area Superintendent, Cirilo Lagnason Jr., said.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office-Soccsksargen (DENR-12), sea cows are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List due to habitat loss, hunting, and accidental entanglement in fishing gear.

“SBPS is considered a dugong stranding hotspot in the country. Some of the strandings are caused by indirect anthropogenic activities, which include the improper disposal of fishing paraphernalia,” Lagnason added.

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) urged the public to always value the importance of oceans, every day, not just in May. 

“This begins with embracing the simplest yet impactful practices, such as adopting the 5Rs - refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot - to protect the ocean and its inhabitants,” PENR Officer, Shalimar Disomangcop, said.