BANGKOK, June 10 (TNA) – Many tourists flocked to see
the orphaned baby dugong during her feeding time and play time with volunteers off
Libong Island, especially over weekends.
Libong Island has been crowded with tourists, who
came to watch Marium, the 6-month-old orphaned baby dugong, after her pictures
and video clips were viral on social media.
Marium was founded at the shore of Krabi in April,
stranded from her mother. The veterinarians moved her to the Dugong nursery in
Trang on April 30 and Marium was taken care of there ever since.
The officials believe that she can be released to
the open sea of the Trang coast in about six months.
About 40 volunteers have been taking turn in feeding
and teaching Marium to eat seagrass. They hope that she will be able to survive
in the natural habitat on her own after she is freed.
The officials said that right now, Marium is in a
healthy condition and has gained some weights. She gets attached to humans and
stays close to the shore.
Officials also asked the tourist to keep the voice
down since the dugongs can get frighten easily.
The dugong is one of Thailand’s reserved animals and
often spotted around the coast of Trang especially off Libong Island. (TNA)
