Ongoing drone survey monitors dugongs at Seychelles’ Aldabra Atoll
Written by Editor on 6th May 2024
Ongoing drone survey monitors dugongs at Seychelles’ Aldabra Atoll
Did you hear about the cool new project happening around the Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles? The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) is using drones to take the first-ever lagoon-wide survey of the waters to capture images of dugongs, even the little ones! These shy sea creatures, often called sea cows, are being monitored to help with their conservation.
Early settlers and sailors used to hunt dugongs for meat and oil, but now they’re protected under Seychelles law. So far, they’ve spotted 19 dugongs in the images they’ve collected, including a group with six individuals and two juveniles.
The project aims to provide new info on the dugong population and guide conservation efforts not just in Seychelles but also in the wider region. It’s all part of Seychelles’ commitments to international agreements on species conservation.
Aldabra is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the last known home to dugongs in Seychelles. These gentle giants are listed as vulnerable, so this project is super important.
The project, funded by the Seychelles Climate Change Adaptation Trust, is set to wrap up in mid-2024, but the work to protect these amazing creatures will continue. And get this, the Seychelles Islands Foundation is teaming up with experts from Australia to make it happen!
Written and Edited by J.R
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