Dugong  (Dugong dugon)

The dugong has a wide range throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from the east coast of Africa to islands of the western Pacific, such as Vanuatu (1) (3) (7) (8). Many populations are today severely depleted or almost extinct; the majority are found off the coast of northern Australia (3) (8), with the world’s second largest population found in the Arabian Gulf (8) (9).

The dugong is a seagrass specialist that inhabits shallow and protected coastal waters in tropical seas (2) (3) (8) (10). More strictly marine than manatees (Trichechus species), the dugong is seldom found in freshwater (2) (3).