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Dugong rescued in Thailand dies after ingesting plastic waste

An eight-month-old dugong nurtured by marine experts after it was found near a beach in Thailand has died after ingesting plastic waste, experts say.

The female dugong - a large ocean mammal - was found lost on the country's southern coast earlier this year.

Named Marium, the animal became an online hit after images were published showing biologists embracing and feeding her with milk and sea grass.

Veterinarians and volunteers had set out in canoes to feed Marium for up to 15 times a day while also giving her health checks.

Last week, she was found bruised after being chased and supposedly attacked by a male dugong during the mating season.

Marium was nurtured by marine experts but has now died following a combination of shock and ingesting plastic waste (AP)
Marium was nurtured by marine experts but has now died following a combination of shock and ingesting plastic waste (AP)

She was brought in for treatment in the artificial sea on Libong Island in Krabi province.

Jatuporn Buruspat, the director-general of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, said he believes she died of a combination of shock and ingesting the plastic.

"We assume she wandered off too far from her natural habitat and was chased, and eventually attacked by another male dugong, or dugongs, as they feel attracted to her," he said.

An autopsy showed a large amount of plastic waste in her intestine, which could also have played a part in her death as it led to gastritis and blood infection, he said.

"She must've thought these plastics were edible," Mr Jatuporn said.

The dugong is a species of marine mammal similar to the American manatee and can grow to about 3.4 metres in length. Its conservation status is listed as vulnerable.