TRANG, Aug 15 (TNA) – The orphaned baby dugong,
Marium, has been recovering from illnesses very well after being moved to a
temporary nursing pool at a sanctuary near Koh Libong to avoid other attacks by
adult dugongs.
The eight-month-old female dugong has been under care at Koh
Libong in Trang province since she was rescued in April. While nursing her, the veterinarians have
also trained her survival skills in the natural habitat.
Last week, Marium was attacked by an adult dugong and
suffered lung infection, dehydration and other symptoms, veterinarians say.
The vet team said they decided to move Marium onto land
because a large dugong was spotted near the nursery area as well as strong
winds and sea currents.
They have frequently checked the dugong’s heart rate to
monitor her condition.
Head of Koh Libong wildlife sanctuary Chaipruek Wirawong
said her heart rate was back to normal at 85 beats per minute, down from over
140 beats after the attack.
Medical check would be performed every hour, he said.
The young dugong, whose name means “lady of the sea,” is the
first dugong to have been nurtured by humans in Thailand. Her story has impressed Thai netizens as she
is dubbed “Thailand’s sweetheart” by the Department of Marine and Coastal
Resources (DMCR). (TNA)
