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RIYADH: Once mistaken for mermaids by weary sailors, the dugong — shy, slow-moving marine mammals — now face a very real threat of extinction.

Their closest relative, Steller’s sea cow, vanished in the 18th century after relentless hunting. Conservationists warn that unless strong protections are put in place, dugongs could meet the same fate.

But in ��������, herds of this elusive species are finding refuge. Along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coastlines, dugongs graze peacefully in seagrass meadows — a vital habitat that the Kingdom is determined to safeguard.

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“The presence, or absence, of dugong tells us a lot about the health of an ecosystem, its diversity and levels of pollution,” said Mirey Atallah, head of the UN Environment Programme’s Climate for Nature Branch, commenting on regional conservation efforts.

Dugongs, nicknamed “sea cows,” feed exclusively on seagrass in shallow waters. They have fusiform bodies, dolphin-like flippers, and broad tails, but their most striking trait is their reproductive pace.

Females give birth only once every three to seven years, and calves stay with their mothers for up to two years. This slow cycle makes dugongs highly vulnerable to population collapse.

�������� is one of the few countries where their survival is being actively secured. The National Center for Wildlife has introduced satellite tracking and long-term studies to monitor dugong movements.

During Environment Week this year, it launched public education campaigns to raise awareness of their role in balancing marine ecosystems.

Red Sea Global, the developer behind regenerative tourism projects The Red Sea and AMAALA, has also made dugong protection part of its environmental commitments.

“Dugong are a threatened species and, ecologically, highly distinctive. There is no other similar species in the region,” the RSG said in a statement.

Its scientists are studying foraging grounds and migratory pathways, using drones and even testing machine-learning tools to detect dugongs in aerial surveys. With its extensive seagrass beds, the RSG believes the area could become a regional stronghold for dugongs.

The Kingdom’s coasts are among the species’ last global sanctuaries. The Red Sea offers vital feeding grounds, while the Arabian Gulf is home to one of the world’s largest populations, estimated at around 7,000 animals.

These numbers reflect the Gulf’s rich seagrass meadows and favorable conditions for seasonal migration.

To ensure their safety, Saudi authorities have introduced strict legislation: hunting or harming dugongs can incur fines of up to SR1 million ($266,465).

�������� is not acting alone. In 2013, the Kingdom signed an international agreement in Abu Dhabi dedicated to protecting dugongs and their habitats.

More recently, the National Center for Wildlife represented �������� at the first Arab scientific workshop on seagrass conservation, highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts to monitor seagrass ecosystems — the dugong’s lifeline — while promoting regional and global collaboration.

By blending science, legislation, and education, �������� is working to ensure that dugongs do not go the way of their extinct relatives. Protecting these gentle grazers not only secures a species, but also preserves the fragile ecosystems they help maintain.

If conservation succeeds, future generations may continue to glimpse dugongs gliding through Saudi waters — reminders of how legends of mermaids were born, and of how human care can keep myth and nature alive.
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