Dugongs community initiated dugong conservation in Cape San Agustin

Abstract

The dugong conservation project in Cape San Agustin started about a year ago focused on community monitoring, visual sighting & photography of dugong. The result recorded the active time of day dugong are sighted, numbers, activities as well death, stranding and recovery efforts. Dugong were tracked across Cape San Agustin from Pujada. Associated information was gathered from the Samal-Talikud islands and Malita Bay in Davao Gulf about 100 kilometers away towards the Celebes Sea. Sightings were also noted within a 100-kiometer zone between Baganga Bay and Hinatuan Bays towards the eastern Pacific seaboard since 2004. Both sightings, strandings, deaths and recovery efforts were similarly reported in all these areas. These areas have a potential link with the southern Mindanao-Sulu-Celebes Sea area of dugong, marine mammals and endangered wildlife community.