Dugong Mati Stranded In Sabu Raijua NTT, Buried With Indigenous Ritual

Dugong marine mammals stranded and died on Langa Ae Beach, Keliha Village, Sabu Raijua Regency, NTT (PHOTO VIA ANTARA)

KUPANG - A dugong marine mammal that crashed and died on Langa Ae Beach, Keliha Village, Sabu Raijua Regency, NTT.

Head of the Kupang National Marine Protected Area (BKKPN), Imam Fauzi, said the dugong was first seen at 08.00 WITA. The dugong was then carried away in the evening to Eimau Beach, Eimau Village, Sabu Raijua.

"The fishermen then reported it to the officers so that the officers immediately moved to the location to work with the residents faster," he said as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, April 28.

Imam said that the stranded Dugong was a dugong child who was probably sick and left behind from his flock while swimming in the high seas.

The dugong found has a body length of 120 cm, a width of 65 cm, a belly circumference of 83 cm, and a tail length of 35 cm.

When it was found, the dugong was in code 3 condition, which means that the carcass had started to rot, marked by a swollen body and oozing discharge and a strong odor.

Imam Fauzi explained that to avoid misuse of biota and spread of disease, the carcass must be buried immediately. The team moved quickly with the community to start digging a hole and burying the dugong.

"The burial process used tarpaulin media to make it easier to lift the frame which could be used as an educational medium later," he continued.

Before the dugong burial is carried out, a traditional ritual is held led by Petrus Mangngi Hedi (Pe Mangngi). The traditional ritual is intended to pray for the spirit to return to the sea.

Dugong is one of the rare marine biota and is protected by the State through Government Regulation Number 7 of 1999 concerning Preservation of Plants and Animals and Decree of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries No. 79 of 2018.