Young Dugong Dies After Stranding; Autopsy Ordered
A young dugong calf found stranded in Ranong Province died despite intensive veterinary care at a rescue center in Phuket; an autopsy is underway to determine the cause and improve future marine animal rescue efforts.
Thailand's Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chamlong has ordered an urgent autopsy to determine the cause of death of a young male dugong that became separated from its pod and died during treatment. Despite full efforts by marine veterinarians and staff from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, the calf could not be saved. Minister Chamlong emphasized the need to accelerate efforts to improve conservation and rescue of rare marine animals in the future.
Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi, director of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, revealed that on July 5, 2569 (2026), a 112-centimeter-long, 25-kilogram male dugong calf was found stranded at Laem Phromthep beach in Ranong Province. Local residents helped rescue the animal and brought it to officials at Laem Phromthep National Park. Initial examination showed small wounds on the body and head, believed to have been caused by the stranding and being swept ashore by currents. Staff provided immediate first aid and transferred the calf to the Sirinath rare marine animal rescue center operated by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources in Phuket.
Throughout the treatment period, staff from the Sirinath rescue center and the Upper Andaman Sea Research Center worked around the clock with volunteers to monitor and care for the calf 24 hours a day. Health assessments showed the calf was in normal condition but underweight (body condition score 2.5 out of 5), with bruising along the body from the stranding. Heart rate averaged 80-100 beats per minute depending on behavior, while breathing rates were 1-3 times per 5 minutes at rest and 4-5 times per 5 minutes while swimming. Tests revealed low blood sugar and moderate to severe dehydration. The calf's digestive system showed severe bloating with gas buildup, as it had not eaten for an extended period.
Despite the veterinary team's best efforts, the calf went into shock. Though emergency resuscitation and stimulant medications were administered, the young dugong could not be saved and died shortly after. An autopsy is currently being conducted to determine the exact cause of death. The findings will be used to develop better knowledge and protocols for assisting rare marine animals to improve survival chances in future rescue cases. Thailand will continue implementing measures to conserve and restore the national dugong population.
