Ranong: A stranded male baby dugong that separated from its herd has died during treatment, prompting the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to order an immediate autopsy to improve rare marine species conservation.
According to Thai News Agency, the 25-kilogram dugong was found stranded on Laem Son Beach in Ranong province on July 5. Local residents rescued the animal, which had minor wounds, and transferred it to the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Species Rescue Center in Phuket for round-the-clock care.
Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, stated that the underweight dugong suffered from severe dehydration and stomach bloating due to a prolonged lack of food. The animal eventually went into shock, and veterinarians were unable to revive it despite performing CPR.
The department is conducting a detailed autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, aiming to use the findings to enhance future rescue and conservation guidelines for Thailand's endangered dugong population.