Abu Dhabi rescue and successful rescue of stranded dugong calf

Abu Dhabi: A young male dugong found separated from the herd in the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve has been rescued and rehabilitated here

Alone, without the protection of a mother or herd, the dugong was named Malqout by the researchers, in keeping with the Arabic words for “rescued” and “owner unknown.”

The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD), the environmental sector regulator, said in a statement on Wednesday (April 12) that it was first detected after several days of strong winds, which are believed to have caused the calf to be separated from the herd. s reason.

Malqout’s health was assessed by EAD’s specialist marine species team, supported by experts from the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) Regional Office. Experts determined that the young dugong needed specialized veterinary care due to being underweight, unstable, dehydrated and malnourished.

Authorities transferred him to a specialized facility in Abu Dhabi staffed by livestock specialists and qualified veterinarians.

To this end, EAD has partnered with local zoology specialists, Worldwide Zoo Consultants, to provide veterinary consultation and ongoing professional livestock care. Due to Malqout’s failing health, experts recommended that he be placed under 24/7 human supervision with appropriate resources capable of providing the highest standard of care.

There are about 3,000 dugongs in Abu Dhabi territorial waters, mostly near Butina Island, which is part of the Marawa Biosphere Reserve and Yasat Marine Reserve. With a population that makes us the second largest biological concentration in the world after Australia, the EAD sees the protection of animals as a responsibility. Authorities do their best to ensure the conservation and mortality of dugong populations and to minimize any risks.

Authorities also routinely rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles and work to reunite stranded whale sharks.

Malqout’s successful rescue and rehabilitation process is one of the rarest in the world. With its 25 years of experience, the EAD has successfully cared for Malqout, despite dugongs not responding well in captivity. EAD draws on lessons from several of its studies and scientific studies on the conservation of dugongs, habitat protection and marine species.

Dugongs are heavily dependent on their mothers for the first 18 months of life, but the EAD was able to provide Malqout with an optimal environment for survival.

We provided 24-hour veterinary care for Malqout’s recovery until he was gradually weaned and trained to eat seaweed. To maintain quality of life after the initial period, Malqout needs special care from a qualified veterinarian, including suitable facilities for his growth and protection from changing weather conditions and loud noises.

The EAD and expert team provided a stimulating environment and the right space in which Malqout could learn natural behavior patterns while ensuring his long-term growth. Specially formulated foods to treat dehydration and malnutrition are provided by an experienced team of veterinarians. Marcourt has since grown from 60 centimeters to almost two metres, with a health certificate.

According to a memorandum of understanding from the Dugong Conservation and Management Secretariat and previous attempts around the world, no dugong has so far been successfully rehabilitated in captivity and then released into the natural environment.

Knowing that Malqout lacked the natural survival instincts acquired early in the dugong’s life – and to mitigate any other risks – the EAD therefore decided not to release him. He was young and raised in a controlled environment, but was found not to have developed normal immunity and had adapted to receive professional human care, which hampered his ability to interact with other species and hide from predators.

After recovery, experts determined Malqout’s best option was to continue his life under constant human supervision. The dugong survival story is a testament to the quality of care Abu Dhabi provides. EAD and its partners are well prepared to care for Malqout, and a team of veterinarians and dugong specialists will be able to monitor his condition regularly.

“Malqout’s story is one we want to share with the world because it is a unique and rare occasion, as dugongs are fragile animals that are dependent on their mother for the first two years of life. It made us aware of the task ahead, Malqout needs 24/7 monitoring and feeding to ensure his survival.During his recovery, Malqout has grown profoundly and performed extremely well, and his case is a perfect example of how local and international cooperation can help save species around the world because of our Abu Dhabi environment The agency’s team of specialists work closely with specialists through the CMS Office and Dugong MoU, as well as specialist marine veterinarians, to ensure we provide the best possible care,” said EAD Secretary General Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri.

“Stranded juvenile dugongs are notoriously difficult to rescue and rehabilitate. Apart from Malqout, the only other documented case of long-term care success is that of a neonatal dugong rescued in 1998 and currently residing at the Sydney Aquarium. No dugongs in captivity have been successfully released. Records returned to the wild,” explains Rouba Abou-Atieh, executive coordinator of the CMS.

“The December 2022 CMS publication, ‘Options for Handling Stranded Orphaned Dugong Calves – Recommendations for Policymakers and Managers’, attempts to outline the difficult and limited options available when dugong orphans are found stranded. Malqout An extremely rare case, he has benefited from the UAE’s leading veterinary care and marine facility since his rescue in 2019. However, due to this necessary care, he did not survive release into the wild and will continue to be tested in a simulated environment. Human care is required in the environment to support his long-term survival,” she added.

“Worldwide Zoo Consultants is proud to have contributed to the successful rescue and rehabilitation of dugongs. Over the past three and a half years, under the coordination of the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency, our dedicated animal care specialists and veterinarians have been able to accomplish a very A rare event, the successful rescue and rehabilitation of a stranded newborn dugong calf. We are proud of this extraordinary achievement.

Many hours of round-the-clock care have been put into the work and we are delighted that he is currently thriving, fully settled and well adjusted to life under human care. The lessons Malqout taught us in our rescue and recovery efforts will certainly benefit future rescue efforts of his other species,” said Tommy Wilken, CEO of Worldwide Zoo Consultants.