Quick answer
Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Key takeaway
Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Dugong conservation status
Dugong (Dugong dugon) is recorded here as Vulnerable. Global categories summarise extinction risk; regional populations can be safer or worse than the headline label.
Threats facing dugongs
Habitat loss around Shallow coastal waters, bays, and seagrass meadows of the Indo-Pacific, hunting or persecution, climate pressure, and conflict with people are common drivers. Exact ranking of threats varies by region.
Outlook for Dugong populations
Where monitoring exists, trends track protected-area quality and enforcement. Fragmented groups need corridors and genetic exchange to avoid local extinction.
What actually helps
Support verified conservation programmes, cut demand for illegal wildlife products, and protect habitat. Tourism helps only when operators follow ethical wildlife standards.
Cultural significance
Indigenous Australian communities and coastal peoples across the Indo-Pacific have long hunted dugongs for meat and oil, with cultural protocols in many areas. Today legal harvest, accidental drowning in fishing nets, and habitat degradation threaten remaining herds.
Conservation priorities
Listed Vulnerable, dugongs benefit from marine protected areas, speed limits for boats, and seagrass restoration. The Great Barrier Reef and Arabian Gulf hold significant populations. Entanglement in gillnets remains a leading cause of death in Southeast Asia.
Sources
Dugong FAQs
Are dugongs endangered?
Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
What is the scientific name of the dugong?
Dugong dugon — used in research and conservation listings for dugongs.
What do dugongs eat?
Dugongs eat seagrasses and algae, with seasonal and regional variation in Shallow coastal waters, bays, and seagrass meadows of the Indo-Pacific.
Where do dugongs live?
They are associated with Shallow coastal waters, bays, and seagrass meadows of the Indo-Pacific. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of dugongs?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.