Saving the Sea Cows of Vanuatu

Dugongs are large aquatic mammals with fluked tails and downturned mouths, often referred to as "sea cows" due to their herbivorous diet of seagrass. They are closely related to elephants and are found in Vanuatu, where their population numbers are unknown. The Vanuatu Environmental Science Society (VESS) is lobbying for a nationwide dugong count to better understand their numbers, which have not been counted since 1987. VESS is a small but determined conservation group that leads conservation and environmental research projects for local wildlife, including dugongs. Dugongs are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, but their population numbers in Vanuatu are unknown. They play a vital role by consuming seagrass, which releases nutrients into the water, and their excrement spreads seagrass seeds, allowing for germination. Dugongs are culturally important to the Ni-Vanuatu people and are essential to Vanuatu's tourism. However, their numbers are threatened by gill net fishing, climate change, and habitat destruction. A nationwide survey is needed to understand dugong numbers, and visitors can help protect them by following guidelines for interacting with dugongs and supporting tour operators that follow these guidelines.