There are an estimated 7,300 dugong living in the Arabian Gulf with 3,000 are believed to inhabit Abu Dhabi waters. It is noted that there are about 22 species of mammals founds in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.
UAE has the second largest population of dugong in the world: say experts.
Dugongs are large grey mammals which spend their entire lives in the sea. Fully grown, they may be three metres long and weigh 400 kilograms.
As home to majority of dugongs in the Gulf, the cute sea mammal has been protected under UAE law since 1999.
Today, dugongs are listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
“We need dugongs as they are important for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. These are nursery areas for many fish species and thus important for food security in the region.
Strong ecosystems rely on maintaining a healthy and diverse assemblage of plants and animals. Given their importance in the ecosystem, all species of marine mammals, particularly the most endangered ones including
These mammals can stay underwater for six minutes before surfacing. They sometimes breathe by “standing” on their tail with their heads above water.
Dugongs spend much of their time alone or in pairs, though they are sometimes seen gathered in large herds of a hundred animals.
