More Dugongs Return to China's Nature ReserveHordes of dugongs have come back to the natural reserves in Beihai, a port city facing the Beibu Gulf in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.The endangered sea mammal has been listed as a state protected animal. They were rarely seen in Beibu Gulf years ago. The Dugong Reserve in Beihai was set up in 1996. The tropical protection area covers some 300 sq km and has focused on growing the dugong's favorite seaweed. Dugongs have been returning in droves. Dugong populations have decreased considerably due to hunting and other factors. There are only five dugong populations survive in the world, mainly in the sea off southeastern Africa, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia and some Pacific islands. Dugongs are sensitive to the cold and they will die if water temperature drops below 15 degrees Celsius, according to experts. They are therefore found warmer areas such as the Beibu Gulf and sea areas around Hainan and Guangdong provinces. |
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