A group of Mannar fishermen encountered a critically endangered dugong after it became entangled in their ray net on the morning of November 15 in the Vidaththaltivu Sea.
The incident occurred at around 11 a.m., approximately 4.25 kilometres off the Kaththalampiddy coast, when the crew noticed a large marine animal struggling in the net. Upon closer inspection, they identified it as a dugong (Dugong dugon), a rare marine mammal weighing an estimated 300–350 kilograms.
Dugongs are considered one of the most threatened marine species globally and are listed as Critically Endangered in Sri Lanka. The sighting underscores the species’ precarious status and the ongoing need for stronger measures to protect fragile marine ecosystems.
