BACOLOD CITY – The carcass of a sea cow locally known as “dugong” was found floating Monday, July 18, at Macahulom Reef at the Sagay Marine Reserve in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
Jose Roberto Togle, EMS II head of the Resource Management Section of the Sagay Marine Reserve, said the sea cow was a female adult measuring 2.95 meters with an estimated weight of 300 to 350 kilograms. It was in an advanced state of decomposition when it was found.
This was the second time in 22 years that a sea cow was stranded in the area. The last stranding was in 2000, a report released to the media Thursday, July 21, by the Sagay City Public Information Office and Tourism Office said.
Initial evaluation showed there were no injuries and external lesions found on the animal.
Bantay Dagat Volunteers were on duty at the Macahulom Watchtower when they sighted the dead animal. They reported the discovery to the Office of the Protected Area Superintendent of the Sagay Marine Reserve.
The carcass was turned over to the Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology for future collection of data and specimen which can provide critical elements of information for research and development of management strategies.