Dugongs or sea – cows which are related to the manatees are one of the most critically endangered marine mammals in the world.  In the Philippines, they are also called ‘baboy – dagat’. These animals are large grey mammals that usually weigh up to 400 kilo grams and grow up to three meters long. Dugongs are slow swimmers with tails and flippers that help them navigate through the waters. They are highly migratory animals, and spend their whole lives in the water.  These animals are normally found in warm tropical waters. Among the most common places to spot these animals include the Philippines, Australia, and India. They are also found in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. They are usually near the shore since they swim in shallow waters where their main source of food is located. They are herbivores, and their diet is composed of sea grasses only. These grasses grow in sandy parts of the sea bed. A sea cow has to consume a lot of sea grasses since this kind of food is not very nutritious.

Dugongs are mammals which means they have to go up once in a while to breathe. They can hold their breaths for only six minutes. Since they usually swim in shallow waters, they are easily spotted and killed by poachers. They are killed for their meat, skin, teeth, and oil. These marine mammals are solitary animals which mean that they usually swim along. Sometimes they swim in pairs; however there are occasional phenomenons when these animals gather by the hundreds.   

Female sea cows reproduce only one baby at a time, and they can reproduce again only after three to seven years in between. They gestate for one whole year and would take care of their pups for eighteen months before the babies can survive on their own. Dugongs reach adulthood at nine to seventeen years old.

Dugongs have little protection against predators especially humans. Only male sea cows have horns to protect themselves; females don’t have anything. Furthermore, they are very slow swimmers that make them easy prey. Their numbers today are very limited. Only around a few thousand individuals live. There are laws that prevent people from hunting these magnificent creatures, but there are still illegal poachers out there who like to kill them. One of the international law includes Conservation of international Trade in Endangered Species. Regardless, these laws are being violated.

There are a lot of groups out there who are encouraging people to save these people. They are creating projects and seminars to protect these threatened animals. One of the more creative projects includes eco-tourism. This is very popular in Australia, specifically the Great Barrier Reef. There a couple of thousands of dugongs who live in the part of the world. Tourists pay to see these creatures and at the same time they learn something about them. These tours would inform the people of the beauty of these animals and the dangers that they encounter because of our actions and pollutions.

In the Philippines, there are also conservation endeavors being made. Our country actually has a law in its constitution against the killing, hunting, hurting, catching, transporting, eating sea cows whether dead or alive and their by – products. This law is the first in the Philippine constitution to protect a marine mammal. There are also eco – tours here in the country to help preserve the dugongs. One of the tourist spots here in the Philippines is located in Club Paradise, Palawan. It is actually part of the diving tours there to spot a dugong. There are also dugong - watching for people who don’t dive. The place is very popular among tourists and scientists. The resort itself is protecting these animals by encouraging people to admire and learn about the mammals.

Some other places in the Philippines where there are sea cows are located in Romblon, Guimaras, and Davao Oriental.  Hopefully, through these conservation efforts the numbers of this Dugong will steadily rise, and the future generations will get to experience swimming with these beautiful marine mammals.