MANILA — For the first time ever, a mother dugong and its calf were spotted swimming together in the coastal waters of Malapatan, Sarangani on May 19, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Soccsksargen said. 

 The sighting was captured on video by the Protected Area Management Office of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (PAMO-SBPS).

The DENR said the first sighting of a dugong in Sarangani happened on July 31, 2024. Lone dugongs have been observed swimming in Sarangani Bay since.

PAMO-SBPS underscored the significant role of local communities and stakeholders in keeping Sarangani Bay an important marine biodiversity area, which allows the survival and reproduction of the dugongs.  

It also encouraged the public to continue supporting ongoing conservation programs. 

More commonly known as sea cows, dugongs are classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. 

 Although dugongs can live up to about 70 years, they only give birth to a single calf every 2 to 7 years, making them vulnerable to human activities.

 Their habitat range covers almost 50 countries within the tropical and subtropical waters between east Africa and western Pacific Ocean, including the Philippines.

 The gentle marine mammals are the first marine animals protected by Philippine law through DENR Administrative Order No. 55 issued in 1991, strengthened through Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.