In a rare sighting that has conservationists buzzing, dugongs have been spotted in the shallow waters near Yongshu Reef, part of the Nansha Islands. Since mid-July, the environmental authority stationed on the reef and researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have been monitoring the area, capturing the return of these gentle giants.
Often referred to as “mermaids,” dugongs are among the oldest marine mammals on the planet. They thrive in warm, shallow seas across the Indian Ocean and western Pacific. Yet their populations have faced dramatic declines worldwide, earning them a Vulnerable status on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Remarkably, in 2022, dugongs were declared functionally extinct along the Chinese mainland coast. Their reappearance near Yongshu Reef signals a turning point, showcasing the impact of targeted conservation measures and habitat protection in the region.
According to a spokesperson from the monitoring team, the collaboration between the research center and the environmental authority will continue, aiming to strengthen scientific support for safeguarding island and reef ecosystems. For young global citizens, entrepreneurs, and sustainability advocates, this story offers a powerful example of real-world conservation in action.
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Dugongs make a return to waters near Yongshu Reef in Nansha Islands
cgtn.com
