Fishing and ship strikes have caused sea cows to decline rapidly since the 1970s, according to research by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. There has been no evidence of their presence in China since 2008, the teams found. Their research said “this is the first functional extinction of a large mammal in China’s coastal waters.” The marine mammal, whose diet is largely dependent on sea grass, has been classified as a Grade 1 National Key Protected Animal since 1998 by the State Council of China. The report said their marine habitats have been rapidly degraded by humans, and although restoration and recovery efforts are a top priority in China, they need “time that dugongs may no longer have.” Dugongs are found in coastal waters from East Africa to Vanuatu and as far north as Japan. The gentle animals are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Their appearance is thought to have inspired ancient stories of mermaids and sirens. Professor Samuel Turvey of ZSL’s Institute of Zoology, co-author of the study, said the possible disappearance of the garbage in China was a devastating loss. “Their absence will not only have a negative impact on ecosystem functioning, but will also serve as a wake-up call – a reminder that extinctions can occur before effective conservation actions are developed,” he said. A team of international scientists interviewed 66 fishing communities in four Chinese provinces along the South China Sea coastal region. The authors said they would welcome any evidence that might still exist in China. They recommended that the regional status of the species be reassessed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct).
