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Abu Dhabi [UAE], 12 April (ANI/WAM): The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) has successfully rescued and rehabilitated a dugong calf found abandoned in the Marawa Marine Biosphere Reserve. EAD rangers found the young dugong alone, without its mother, and away from any herd. Strong winds could have separated him from his mother and team. Reflecting his condition, the dugong was named Malqout, which means “rescued” and “unknown owner” in Arabic. EAD’s Marine Species Team assessed Malqout’s health and, with the help of specialists from the Migratory Species (CMS) Regional Office, confirmed that he was dehydrated and malnourished due to his unstable condition and low body weight. The team decided to transfer Malqout to a specialized facility in Abu Dhabi, where livestock specialists and qualified veterinarians will provide him with the necessary care. Local zoology specialists Worldwide Zoo Consultants (WZC) provide veterinary consultation and expert livestock care.
Due to his poor health, Malqout was placed under 24/7 human supervision, and the team provided him with an environment in which he learned natural behavior patterns and ensured his long-term growth. An experienced veterinarian provided him with a specially formulated food to treat dehydration and malnutrition. Under their care, Malqout has grown from 60cm to nearly two meters long and has a clean bill of health. Since his recovery, Malqout’s best option has been to continue living under constant human supervision. The agency and its partners have the necessary resources and expertise to care for him, and his condition will be monitored regularly by a team of veterinarians and dugong specialists. Malqout’s survival story is a testament to the quality of care provided in Abu Dhabi.
EAD Secretary General Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri said: “Malqout’s story is one we want to share with the world as it is a unique and rare moment as dugongs are fragile animals that depend on their mother for their first two years of life .Life. This made us realize that for future missions, Malqout needs to be monitored and fed 24/7 to ensure his survival. During his recovery, Malqout grew profoundly and did well, his case is a good example of a local and How international cooperation can help save species around the world as our team of experts at the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency work closely with specialists and specialist marine veterinarians through the CMS Office and Dugong MoU to ensure we provide the best possible care.” CMS Abu Dhabi Rouba Abou-Atieh, executive coordinator of the office, added: “Rescuing and rehabilitating trapped juvenile dugongs is notoriously difficult. Apart from Malqout, there is only one other documented instance of successful long-term care of a newborn dugong rescued in 1998 , currently residing at the Sydney Aquarium. There is no record of successful release of captive-bred dugongs into the wild.”
She added: “Malqout’s situation is very unusual as he was fortunate enough to receive advanced veterinary care and marine facilities in the UAE after his rescue in 2019. Nonetheless, he will not survive his return due to the necessary care he received down to the wild and will continue to require ongoing human care in a simulated environment for his long-term survival.” 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. EAD is responsible for the protection of the world’s second largest concentration of dugongs after Australia. Therefore, EAD is doing everything in its power to ensure the protection of dugong populations and reduce mortality and any risks that threaten them, thanks to its professional team, which includes experts and researchers dugongs who are well versed in the habits and behavior of dugongs. (ANI/WAM)
(This story was not edited by Devdiscourse staff and was automatically generated from a syndicate feed.)
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