Researchers conclude that there are no more dugong manatees in Chinese waters. The exclusively herbivorous sea creatures have not been tracked down by experts for decades. Only three fishermen say they have seen specimens of the rare species in the last five years.
Researchers have declared dugong sea cows – a possible inspiration for mermaid myths – extinct in China. According to a study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, only three fishermen surveyed in the past five years said they had seen one of the animals, also known as sea cows or sea pigs (Dugong dugon). According to this, there have not been any verified field observations in the region for 23 years. Historical records of dugongs peaked around 1960 and then declined rapidly from 1975 onwards.
Interviews for the research were conducted between July 15 and August 13, 2019 by four researchers with knowledge of marine mammals and 21 trained volunteers recruited from local universities. “Based on these results, we must conclude that dugongs have experienced rapid population collapse in recent decades and are now functionally extinct in China,” the scientists explain. Dugongs are said to have inspired myths and stories about mermaids and sirens in the past. Their fins are reminiscent of those of mythical creatures.
The rapid decline in the dugong population is a “sobering reminder” that extinction of a species could occur before effective conservation measures can be taken, the researchers said. Dugongs are found on the coasts of many tropical and subtropical countries from East Africa to the South Pacific. Dugongs are the only strictly herbivorous marine mammals and the only extant species in the family Dugongidae.