Mother Dugong and Calf Spotted in Sarangani: A Symbol of Hope for Marine Conservation

Sarangani, Philippines – In a heartwarming discovery that brings hope to marine conservationists, a mother dugong and her calf were recently spotted swimming together in the coastal waters of Malapatan, Sarangani. The sighting, captured on May 19, 2025, was shared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Soccsksargen on their social media pages. The video shows the pair gracefully moving through the clear, turquoise waters. "Said sighting is an encouraging indication that these gentle marine mammals are not only surviving but continuing to reproduce within the protected seascape," stated DENR Soccsksargen in their Facebook post. For months, dugongs had been seen individually in the area; this is the first recorded sighting of a mother and calf. The event underscores the importance of marine conservation efforts and provides a beacon of hope for the future of these vulnerable creatures. The successful reproduction within the protected area demonstrates the effectiveness of conservation strategies and inspires continued dedication to protecting these gentle giants and their habitat.