The mother probably died first then the baby followed five days or so later, the marine biologists believe.
At Phuket Marine Biology Centre, an autopsy revealed sea grass food in their stomachs. It is believed the two dugongs were caught in a net and blinded.
Dr Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong said the two were the seventh and eights dugongs to die because of netting in the Andaman region this year.
It is hoped that the new plan for a conservation zone off Phuket will keep more dugongs alive. Their sea grass feeding beds have been affected by property development and damaging waste water run-offs.
Latest Changes designed to better protect Phuket's marine environment that for the first time link back to land activities have caught officials by surprise. The changes become law on July 30.
Phuket's New 'Special Marine Zone' Catches Officials by Surprise
Phuket and the Taj Exotica: A Romance For Our Times
News Analysis The love affair between Phuket and the Taj Exotica continues to be an intriguing dalliance that displays all the signs of a modern romance, short of commitment and marriage.
Phuket and the Taj Exotica: A Romance For Our Times
Phuket Pirates 'May Target Cruise Ships'
Latest With illegal immigrants, ocean rescues, customs smugglers, fishing poachers and illegal timber merchants to look after, the Third Navy is also preparing for pirates in the Andaman Sea.
Phuket Pirates 'May Target Cruise Ships'
Similans Seem Set for World Heritage Listing
Latest Phuket and the Andaman coast's prime dive destination, the Similan Islands, is being checked by an international working party, with World Heritage listing as the prize.
Similans Seem Set for World Heritage Listing
Give Greater Phuket's Two-Headed Turtle a Name
PHOTO ALBUM Phuket has a new animal emblem - a two headed turtle, in need of a name. The unusual turtle is being given star treatment at a Royal Thai Navy base north of Phuket
Give Greater Phuket's Two-Headed Turtle a Name
When are the fisherman going to start to care about the environment?
Posted by VFaye on August 17, 2010 12:15