The dugong, mostly found in the Philippines but also found in Singapore waters, belongs to an order of marine mammals known as sea cows. It is strictly herbivorous and feeds on 30 kilos of seagrass a day. The dugong is similar in appearance to the manatee and as an adult it reaches a maximum length of 4 metres and weighs up to 400 kilos. Nadya made a dive with Gracie, a dugong who was rescued after her mother was found dead at Pulau Ubin, three years ago. Gracie's story is a common one as the number of dugongs has dwindled dramatically, making it one of the most endangered species in the world.
Many dugongs die from overhunting by man for their meat, oil, skin, teeth and bones.
Sometimes they are trapped and drown in fishing nets and shark nets. Dynamite and cyanide, used for illegal fishing, are also a threat to dugongs. Coastal developments and pollution also destroy the seagrass, a dietary staple of the dugong.