Rare Sighting: 27 Dugongs Gather Near Ko Libong
Tourists and locals near Ko Libong in Trang province were thrilled to spot a herd of 27 dugongs, including a mother and calf, swimming and feeding on seagrass. The rare gathering, the largest seen in years, is being hailed as a sign that local conservation efforts to protect seagrass beds are succeeding. Authorities remind boaters to keep their distance and report any injured animals to the marine resources hotline.
Trang — Heartwarming scenes unfolded in the Andaman Sea off Trang after tourists encountered a pod of 27 dugongs swimming together near Ko Libong in Kantang district. The sighting occurred around 10:30 a.m. during a long-tail boat trip from Ao Ban Phrao pier toward Ko Hola Liang. Among the herd was a mother-and-calf pair, delighting both visitors and locals.
Calm seas and clear skies over the previous two to three days made the animals easy to spot. Tourists counted 27 individuals, while boat operators kept their distance to avoid disturbing the rare marine mammals. From an elevated angle, visitors recorded the dugongs swimming, grazing on seagrass, and behaving naturally.
Anan Kingkaolao, a local tourism operator and influencer, said he was overjoyed because such a large gathering had not been seen off Ko Libong for years. "Over the past two to four months we only spotted one or two dugongs at a time, sometimes none at all. This time nearly 30 appeared — a source of pride for Ko Libong and Trang residents," he said.
Anan added that the return of the herd reflects the island community's efforts to protect marine resources, especially seagrass beds, which are the dugongs' primary food source. He emphasized that Ko Libong remains a critical dugong habitat and a point of pride for Trang.
Recent dugong sightings have been reported at several locations around the island, including Laem To Chai, Ao Ban Phrao, Pak Khlong Saphan Chang, Khlong Wa, and Laem Chu Hoy. The latest gathering is seen as a positive sign for marine conservation, particularly seagrass preservation.
Because dugongs are an endangered marine mammal, authorities urge the public to help protect them by reducing boat speed or cutting engines when the animals are near, keeping a safe distance, not chasing or encircling them, and not disrupting their natural behavior. Anyone who finds an injured, stranded, or entangled dugong should call the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources hotline at 1362 for immediate assistance.
