Dugongs, Leatherback Turtles Sighted At Thai Islands During Covid-19 Lockdown
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Thailand’s tourism industry has taken a heavy hit since the outbreak of Covid-19, especially as they are under a national lockdown similar to Malaysia’s MCO.
Yet this lack of human activity has been good for the animals in Thai waters, a phenomenon that is echoed around the world. In particular, a herd of more than 30 dugongs were sighted drifting serenely off the coast of a Thai Island on 22 April.
(Credit: AFP)
The slow-moving critically-endangered species has resurfaced again due to clearer waters without boat traffic and less plastic waste. The Thai Department of National Parks Wildlife and Conservation (DNP) estimates that up to 80% of dugongs die due to getting entangled in fishing nets.
Dugongs are mammals and need to breath air every five to 10 minutes. However, when trapped by fishing nets, they suffocate and drown. Plastic contaminants in the dugong’s natural environment also poses a great risk ask the big animals tend to eat it and cause intestinal blockages.
(Credit: AFP)
Dugongs are not the only animals that have made a return in Thailand during this lockdown. Earlier this month, Thai beaches also saw a big boom in the nesting habits of the rare and vulnerable leatherback sea turtle in two decades.
84 baby leatherback turtles hatched and successfully made their way back to the sea from just one nest. There have been a total of 11 turtle nests found since last November, the highest number in 20 years. For the past 5 years, there were no nests found.
(Credit: DMCR)
Their return during the slowdown of human activities prove only one thing: that for nature to recover, humans must stop our usual detrimental activities that lead to pollution, and instead focus on sustainable practices for the community and our natural world.
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