FIRST TIME RECORDED, BABY DUGONG ON MALI BEACH, ALOR, NTT
Alor, October 11, 2025. Mawar, a male dugong (Dugong dugon) known to inhabit the waters off Mali Beach, Alor, was caught on camera playing with a baby dugong. This rare sighting was observed by Engky Bain, a member of the Kabola Fishermen Communication Forum, who saw the baby dugong swimming with Mawar and Melati (a female dugong).
In the short video of less than a minute, Mawar is seen carrying the baby dugong on her back, then swimming back with one other adult dugong, as if playing.
The discovery was confirmed by the Chairman of the Kabola Fishermen Communication Forum, Onesimus La'a, or commonly called Pak One "I have seen the baby dugong, but often she and dugong Melati avoid boats, unlike Mawar. Finally, yesterday, Forum members managed to document the appearance of the three dugongs playing near the ship. So we want to make sure there is enough seagrass for three dugongs. Mawar is always in this area because her food is abundant. If seagrass rehabilitation is needed, our group is ready to help," added Mr. One.
Ranny R. Yuneni, National Coordinator of Protected and Endangered Marine Species Program, WWF-Indonesia Foundation, said, "The presence of two other dugong individuals besides Mawar proves that the seagrass ecosystem in Mali Beach, Alor has ecological qualities that can provide living space and food sources for dugong."
Ranny continued, "As a follow-up step, WWF-Indonesia, together with government and community partners, plan to carry out a marine mammal survey in Alor this year, including monitoring of dugong, dolphin, and whale populations in Alor waters. This survey will strengthen the scientific basis for marine mammal habitat management in Alor by linking population data and behavior of dugongs and other marine mammals to the condition of seagrass beds as their primary habitat."
Seagrass conservation efforts in Alor have been carried out by WWF-Indonesia together with the Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) Management of the Alor Islands Marine Park and Surrounding Seas, which is an extension of the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Maritime and Fisheries Office. In 2024, WWF-Indonesia conducted an initial survey to support the seagrass rehabilitation program in the waters of Mali Beach. The results showed that the condition of seagrass beds in this area fell into the dense to very dense category (rich/healthy category) with 73-76% cover. A total of eight seagrass species from two families were observed, including Mawar's favorite food species, Halophila ovalis.
The increase in tourism activities around dugong habitats needs to be balanced with the strict implementation of a dugong tourism code of conduct to prevent interference with the species' natural behavior. "The balance between conservation and tourism is key. Conservation-based tourism must ensure that interactions with dugongs remain safe, distant, and do not alter their feeding or migration patterns. This includes regulating the number of boats, speed, and observation ethics must be applied with discipline," said Ranny.
Director of Species and Genetic Conservation of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), Sarmintohadi, S.Pi, M.Si., welcomed this happy news. "Dugong is a nationally protected aquatic biota with Vulnerable status according to the IUCN Red List. The existence of two new dugong individuals in Alor is clear evidence that efforts to protect marine ecosystems, especially seagrass beds, are paying off. KKP continues to be committed to strengthening dugong conservation through the management of marine protected areas, population monitoring and surveillance, and increasing public awareness. We also highly appreciate the people, partners, and institutions that have been consistently protecting Alor's sea, so that dugongs can continue to live and breed in their natural habitat," he said.
The emergence of this baby dugong symbolizes the success of community-based conservation in Alor. It shows that humans and marine animals can coexist harmoniously if their habitats are protected together.
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For more information:
Siti Yasmina Enita, Communication Officer WWF-Indonesia
Documentation: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jPULA6QYt7P91Cqt5eXn3F956Bz6dMMb?usp=sharing
Photo and Video Caption
- 01 Dugong Mawar in Alor which is often spotted by tourists. Credit: WWF-Indonesia/Juraij
- 02 Dugong Mawar in Alor that often appears when boats arrive. Credit: WWF-Indonesia/Syenit Enita
- 03 Dugong Mawardi Kabola, Alor. Credit: WWF-Indonesia/Alda Rizkiani
- 04 Video Documentation of Baby Dugong captured playing with Mawar and Melati in Alor. Credit: Kabola Fishermen Communication Forum/Engky Bain
About WWF Indonesia Foundation
WWF-Indonesia is a civil society organization with a local legal entity and global network, supported by more than 100,000 supporters. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
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