Dugong Roped on Libong Island; Rescue Operation Planned

MGR Online•General•20h ago

Reader Briefing

A dugong found with deep rope entanglement on its fins near Libong Island is facing a critical rescue operation.

•A dugong on Libong Island, Trang province, has been found with severe rope entanglement around both fins.
•Marine experts and park officials are preparing a specialized 'leap catch' operation to save the injured animal.
•The incident highlights the escalating crisis of marine debris in Thailand, impacting wildlife.
•The dugong was first spotted on February 14 and subsequently monitored on February 15, showing deep wounds and indicating prolonged entanglement.

Overview

•On February 14, a dugong was discovered entangled in rope at Libong Island, Trang Province.
•On February 15, a follow-up survey confirmed the dugong remained in the same area with the rope still tightly bound.
•The dugong's wounds are deep, indicating prolonged entanglement, posing a significant future health risk.
•Marine Department officials are preparing a 'leap catch' operation to rescue the dugong.
•The rescue operation requires waiting for optimal low tide conditions to facilitate easier capture.
•Officials will use drones for continuous monitoring to pinpoint the dugong's location until the best rescue window arrives.
•In the past year, at least three dugongs and hundreds of sea turtles have been found entangled or have ingested marine debris.
•Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat emphasized the need to save the dugong to prevent future complications from the deepening wounds.

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Key Quotes

Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat

"Today, the rare marine animals committee met. We are monitoring the injured dugong situation. Found by the National Parks Department/Marine Department at Libong on Feb 14. Surveyed again on Feb 15. Still found the same dugong in the same area. Ropes are tight on both sides, deeply cut. Looking at the wounds, it seems to have been tied for a long time."

วันนี้ประชุมคณะสัตว์ทะเลหายาก เราติดตามสถานการณ์พะยูนเจ็บที่กรมอุทยาน/กรมทะเลสำรวจพบที่ลิบงเมื่อวันที่ 14 ก.พ. สำรวจซ้ำวันที่ 15 ก.พ. ยังเจอพะยูนตัวดังกล่าว อยู่ในบริเวณเดิม เชือกรัดแน่นทั้งสองข้าง บาดลึก ดูจากบาดแผลแล้วน่าจะรัดมานาน

Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat

"But we must help anyway, because in the future the wound may spread and cause major problems. The rescue method is 'leap catch'. The Marine Department has successfully rescued two previously (rope entangled tail)."

แต่ไงๆ ก็ต้องช่วย เพราะในอนาคตแผลอาจลุกลามจนเกิดปัญหาใหญ่ การช่วยใช้วิธีโดดจับ กรมทะเลเคยช่วยสำเร็จมาแล้ว 2 ตัว (เชือกพันหาง)

Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat

"For us, let's cheer and encourage the officials, as well as reduce waste as much as possible. Collect marine debris if you can. Every piece matters."

สำหรับพวกเรา ช่วยกันลุ้นและให้กำลังใจเจ้าหน้าที่ รวมถึงการลดขยะให้มากสุด เก็บขยะทะเลหากทำได้ ทุกชิ้นมีความหมายทั้งนั้น

Key Entities

Person

Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat(ดร.ธรณ์ ธำรงนาวาสวัสดิ์)ℹ️

Marine ecologist and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University, who reported the injured dugong.

Place

Libong Island(เกาะลิบง)ℹ️

Location where the dugong was found entangled in rope.

Trang Province(จังหวัด ตรัง)ℹ️

The province in which Libong Island is located.

Libong Islands Wildlife Sanctuary(เขตห้ามล่าสัตว์ป่าหมู่เกาะลิบง)

The protected area where the dugong was found.

Organization

Department of National Parks(กรมอุทยาน)ℹ️

A government department involved in the survey and monitoring of the injured dugong.

Department of Marine and Coastal Resources(กรมทะเล)ℹ️

A government department involved in the survey, monitoring, and rescue operations for marine animals.

Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University(คณะประมง มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์)ℹ️

Institution to which Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat, the reporting expert, belongs.