STRANDING OF A NEONATAL DUGONG CALF IN WADI EL GEMAL NATIONAL PARK: IMPLICATIONS FOR DUGONG CONSERVATION IN EGYPT

A male dugong calf(Dugong dugon) of 120 cm long wasobserved stranded at Wadi El Gemal National Park on September 29th2015. Thecalf hadscars on the head and body skins.It was released back to the sea but wasfound dead on October4th2015. Photo identificationtechniqueonfirmedthatitwasthesameindividualatthetwoincidences.Itsbehaviourwasobserved,andrecorded at the two sites. The time budget of the different behaviouralactivitiescomprising travelling, surfacing, and restingwasregistered before and after stranding. After strandingthe calf frequently surfaced to breath, rested more and travelled less.Itdied 12 days after of the firstobservationduringSeptember22nd.All possible measurements were taken.The study recommends considering Ras Baghdady in Wadi El Gemal National Park as a nursery ground for dugongs.