Dugong, picture Wikipedia
Yesterday Siladen dive boat left to Ron’s point, Bunaken, to see some big fish. But the divers didn’t expect to see a dugong, beautiful sea mammal.
Ron’s point and Fukui in Bunaken are the best dive sites to spot dugong, this amazingly beautiful, little funny-looking, smiling mammal. I have also seen dugong while snorkeling couple of times in dive site Pangalisan, east side of Bunaken island. These amazing relatives of sea cows come to the sea grass area to eat on high tide. Sometimes people are lucky to see this animal from the boat too.
This rare, almost extinct animal finds Bunaken National Marine Park as a peaceful home. Dugong means mermaid in Bahasa Indonesia and it’s closest relative, Steller’s sea cow, is already hunted to extinction. Dugongs can live up to 70 years or more and because of it’s slow rate of reproductions dugongs are also very vulnerable to extinction.
My best experience here in Siladen was when I saw dugong-mom with her calf. The most unbelievable sight I have ever seen.
Picture of the dugong from Wikipedia.
Heini
[...] of whale shark, many eagle rays, thresher sharks, had great visibility, visitors from far away, dugongs, blue-ringed octopus and other special marine [...]
By: What a year 2011! « Siladen Resort and Spa, Bunaken Marine Park on December 29, 2011
at 11:22 am