KORONADAL CITY — Wildlife officials in the Soccsksargen region reported a bittersweet sequence of events involving the critically endangered “dugong” (sea cow) within the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) this week.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-12), a healthy mother and calf were sighted in the waters of Sarangani province, just one day before a pregnant adult was found lifeless on the shores of General Santos City.
The Sighting: A Sign of Habitat Health On February 6, 2026, personnel from the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO-SBPS) documented a mother dugong and her calf off the coast of Kiamba.
- Natural Behavior: The pair was observed engaging in nursing and other natural interactions.
- Significance: DENR-12 Regional Executive Director Felix S. Alicer stated that these sightings reinforce Sarangani Bay’s role as a vital breeding ground and critical habitat for the species.
The Tragedy: Loss of a Pregnant Female The following day, February 7, Bantay Dagat (sea patrol) volunteers discovered a dead dugong along the coastline of General Santos City.
- Necropsy Results: While initial assessments did not show signs of pregnancy, a necropsy conducted at the Marine Wildlife Rescue Center revealed the sea cow was carrying a calf and was likely near its delivery period.
- Findings: The animal weighed between 400 to 500 kilograms. No foreign objects or ingested plastic were found, and internal organs appeared normal, leaving the exact cause of death under further investigation.
Conservation Challenges Dugongs are highly dependent on healthy seagrass ecosystems, which are increasingly threatened by human activity. Key dangers include:
- Boat Strikes: Propellers and high-speed vessels in shallow feeding grounds.
- Pollution: Habitat degradation and marine debris.
- Entanglement: Accidental capture in fishing nets.
Call to Action Director Alicer urged the public and coastal communities to stay vigilant. “While the sighting of a mother and calf brings hope, the loss of a pregnant dugong underscores the need for strengthened conservation measures,” he said.
The DENR advised residents and tourists to maintain a safe distance from marine mammals, reduce boat speeds in seagrass areas, and report any sightings or strandings immediately to local authorities.