The GEF Dugong and Seagrass Project will enhance the effectiveness of conservation efforts for dugongs and their seagrass ecosystem across the Indian and Pacific Ocean basins.

The Dugong is a large slow moving marine herbivore inhabiting the sea grass beds of the shallow littoral of the island, currently restricted to the Gulf of Mannar area and the surrounding shallow islets. At the beginning of the last century, records indicate large “herds” of Dugong feeding in the Jaffna Lagoon and were very commonly encountered during the pearl fishery of by-gone days. These encounters have, unfortunately for this mammal, resulted in its falling victim to the dietary preferences of humans. The Dugong has also fallen victim to its very trusting nature, often allowing humans to approach within touching distance, enabling an easy kill with harpoon, spear or long machete. Presently, dynamiting, netting and drowning of captured specimens by plugging its nostrils appear to be the more preferred methods of slaughter.

Today, the Dugong can really be categorized as the “most endangered mammal” in Sri Lanka, much ahead of such iconic species as its Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus maximu), the sloth bear (Melursus ursinu) and the Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya).