In response to critical seagrass loss near Phuket’s Rawai Beach, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has initiated a project to test alternative food sources, including leafy vegetables like Chinese cabbage, for dugongs. The move aims to address the drastic reduction in seagrass meadows, which are vital for dugong survival, as nearly 30% of Thailand’s dugong population has died since last year due to food scarcity. With only about 250 dugongs recorded in 2022, conservationists warn that this number could fall to as low as 60-70 within four years if conditions do not improve.

Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat of Kasetsart University highlighted the urgency of developing new food sources. While this trial marks the first instance of supplemental feeding for wild dugongs, with earlier experiments done only in captivity in countries like the U.S. and Japan, Thai dugongs have yet to consume the cabbage provided. Given the challenges of seagrass depletion, efforts include partnerships with Malaysian authorities to monitor dugongs that may be migrating due to food scarcity.

Meanwhile, proposals to relocate dugongs from the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand have been met with caution, as relocation could pose risks to the animals’ safety and adjustment to new environments. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) emphasizes that addressing climate-driven declines in seagrass habitats and reducing dugong mortality are key focuses in its dugong conservation strategy, with current efforts centered on expanding and restoring seagrass areas to ensure sustainable food sources.