The mythical creature known as the "mermaid" is familiar to many, but the real-life marine animal often associated with this legend, the dugong, is rarely seen. Classified as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the dugong is considered extinct in Taiwan, with the last recorded capture dating back to 1937. However, after an 88-year absence, a dugong has made a surprising appearance in Yilan, Taiwan, leaving even Japanese experts in awe.
Characteristics and Habitat
Dugongs typically range in size from 1.5 to 2.7 meters and have smooth, sparsely hairy skin. They inhabit tropical and subtropical coastal waters. The name "dugong" is derived from the Malay language. While they resemble manatees, dugongs have a distinctive forked tail, unlike the paddle-like tail of manatees. Dugongs are air-breathing mammals that surface every ten minutes or so. They have poor eyesight but are highly sensitive to sound and move slowly, primarily feeding on seaweed and seagrass.
The Recent Sighting
On March 25, 2025, a fisherman surnamed Chen in Yilan's Dong'ao Fenniaolin unexpectedly caught a 3-meter-long, 500-kilogram dugong in his nets. Unaware of its significance, Chen released the animal back into the wild, capturing photos and videos in the process. After reviewing the footage, Jeng Ming-shiou, Executive Director of Academia Sinica's Biodiversity Research Center, confirmed that the animal was indeed a rare Indian-Pacific dugong.
Historical Context
The last recorded capture of a dugong in Taiwan was in 1937 in northern Taiwan, and in 1986, a dead dugong was found on Ryukyu Island. Since then, there have been no sightings until this recent event. In Japan, dugongs are considered a national natural monument, and the Okinawa Dugong Research Association has described the Taiwanese sighting as "extremely rare". While Japanese researchers have found evidence of dugongs through feeding traces and feces, they lack comprehensive visual records like those obtained in Taiwan.
Conservation Status
Dugongs face significant threats due to habitat destruction, marine pollution, and historical overhunting. Their slow reproductive rate makes them particularly vulnerable to human activities. The recent sighting highlights the need for continued conservation efforts and research into the distribution and behavior of dugongs in the region.
