The islands of Libong and Muk, off the west coast of Thailand, comprise 8,649 acres and 3,718 acres of land respectively. They are home to the only remaining population of Thailand’s endangered dugongs. These slow-moving marine mammals, closely related to manatees, feed on the islands’ expansive seagrass beds. Nearby are two uninhabited islands, Lao-Tam and Ko Kah, which protect the seagrass beds from heavy erosion from the mainland.
YADFON, a local NGO, has been working with local communities for years. Seacology is working with YADFON to give these island communities materials and supplies for a network of seagrass bed and mangrove forest preservation projects. Preserving this precious habitat will protect the endangered dugongs.