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Biologists from UQ assess the health and reproductive status of wild dugongs in Moreton Bay

In a world first study, UQ biologists have teamed up with Sea World scientists to discover more about the dugongs of Moreton Bay.

Leader of the UQ Dugong Research Team Dr Janet Lanyon, said determining reproductive status of individuals was one of the most important factors for population modelling and effective management of a vulnerable species.

“Once we understand seasonality and timing of reproductive patterns, we will be able to develop useful models of population dynamics for vulnerable dugongs,” Dr Lanyon said.

“Assessing the health of these animals is a valuable tool in determining the fitness of wildlife populations, and marine mammals such as dugongs may be used as sentinels for emerging threats to coastal seagrass ecosystems.”

Researchers in Moreton Bay

The team of researchers completed field research in Moreton Bay last May, sampling a selection of dugongs that was representative of both sexes and from adult, sub-adult and juvenile size classes. Over seven days the group took approximately 30-40 minutes to sample each animal.

Researchers collect blood to look at haematology, blood biochemistry, immune factors as well as screen for disease. Urine and faecal samples are also collected to be cultured for microbes and screened for parasites and zoonotic disease.

Dr Lanyon said blood and urine sampled from this study were important because it had been shown to represent active circulating hormone levels in other species, such as Florida manatees.

Biologists and vets carried out comprehensive medical examinations on the dugongs

As well as collecting samples, comprehensive medical examinations by biologists and vets were carried out to assess the body condition of the animals, including girth and weight measurements.

“The hormone data will be used along with gender, body size and social association data gathered during mark-recapture studies, to determine the reproductive status of individual dugongs,” Dr Lanyon said.

Sea World Director of Marine Sciences Trevor Long said the sampling involved lifting wild dugongs out of the water using a specially designed stretcher to hoist the animals from the water on to the deck of research vessel Sea World One.

“This is a very exciting study, and allows us to capture data that will help to establish reference blood parameters for the species,” Mr Long said.

“Along with Sydney Aquarium, a partnership with dugong experts such as Dr Lanyon and The University of Queensland is an ongoing priority for Sea World.”

Story and video by Andrew Dunne

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