[Animals] extinct animal south china

[Mr.Jhorjan]

 

Link: https://www.lasexta.com/noticias/ciencia-tecnologia/animal-que-hombre-hizo-desaparecer-ciencia-confirma-que-dugon-esta-extinto-china-culpa-humano_2022082463063248902b280001ef5037.html

 

The dugong or dugong has been announced as functionally extinct from Chinese marine waters. In a study published in Royal Society Open Science, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences reported that it may already be too late to try to conserve this animal.

The dugong is the only strictly marine herbivorous mammal, inhabiting the coastal waters of 37 tropical and subtropical countries from East Africa to Vanuatu. It has been seen in almost all countries bordering the South China Sea (SCS), including China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines. However, since 1970 the numbers have decreased abysmally on the Chinese coasts. It was in 1980 when it was declared 'National Essential Grade 1 Protected Animal' by the Chinese State Council and as 'Globally Vulnerable' by IUCN.

Since 2008 there were no sightings in China; Taiwan had already listed it as extinct. To determine the status of the animal, the researchers decided to interview locals and fishermen from 66 coastal towns in the south of the country. However, very few people reported seeing any in the past five years, leading experts to conclude that "dugongs have experienced rapid po[CENSORED]tion collapse over the past few decades and are now functionally extinct in China."

This is a species "globally threatened by human activities such as fishing, ship strikes, and human-caused loss of habitat." After being cornered to a possible point of no return, the study announces that "it is very unlikely that the dramatic po[CENSORED]tion decline experienced by the species in recent decades will stop or be reversed under current conditions" so there is very little hope of that there is a short-term recovery effective enough for their survival.

It is a warning call about extinctions that can be caused before conservation measures can be put in place. Making restoration plans is only the first step as these are long processes and with the rapidity with which some animal po[CENSORED]tions decline, time is a factor against it; they are extinguished faster.

However, experts "are open to any future evidence" that disproves this extinction status. They admit that there may be errors in the testimonials they collected or information that may have changed over time. But for now, they urge China to reassess the species' status and place it in the Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) category.