A pregnant dugong or sea cow believed to be near its delivery period was washed ashore and died later in General Santos City on February 7, 2026.

According to reports from Bantay Dagat personnel and residents in the area, the dugong was still alive when first seen.

During initial field assessment, the animal did not show signs of pregnancy.

However, the dugong was confirmed later to be carrying a calf, based on necropsy conducted at the Marine Wildlife Rescue Center.

The resident veterinarian of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) said the dugong’s internal organs appeared normal with no foreign objects or ingested materials that could have caused its death directly.

The veterinarian also reported that the dugong, weighing 400 to 500 kilos, was believed to be nearing its expected delivery period.

Meanwhile, a mother and calf dugong were spotted in Sarangani Bay.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office-SOCCSKSARGEN (DENR-12), the mother and calf dugong were spotted in the waters off Kiamba, Sarangani during a monitoring activity of the Protected Area Management Office of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (PAMO-SBPS) on February 6, 2026.

DENR-12 said the pair displayed natural behavior, including nursing, indicating a healthy interaction and reinforcing the bay’s role as a critical habitat and breeding ground for dugongs.

“These closely timed events reflect both the gains achieved through conservation efforts and the need for sustained vigilance,” SBPS officials said.

DENR-12 said the sighting of a mother and calf, alongside the recent stranding of a pregnant dugong, underscores Sarangani Bay’s importance as a habitat for the species.

“Dugongs, which are classified as critically endangered in DAO 2019-09, are highly dependent on healthy seagrass ecosystems and remain vulnerable to threats such as boat strikes, habitat degradation, entanglement, and marine pollution,” DENR-12 said.

“While the sighting of a mother and calf brings hope, the loss of a pregnant dugong highlights the importance of strengthened conservation measures and public awareness,” DENR-12 added.

Authorities urged the public to help protect dugongs by maintaining a safe distance during sightings, avoiding chasing or feeding marine mammals, reducing boat speed in seagrass and shallow coastal areas, and properly disposing of waste.