India has seen conservation miracles before. From the steady revival of tigers under Project Tiger to the comeback of crocodiles in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika, sustained effort has shown that wildlife can rebound when protection is backed by policy, science and community support. 

In India’s southern waters, one such inspiring success story is unfolding — the remarkable resurgence of the dugong along the coast of Tamil Nadu. After decades of decline that pushed this gentle marine mammal perilously close to local extinction, recent surveys estimate about 270 dugongs thriving today — a testament to concerted conservation and community engagement.

The dugong (Dugong dugon), often called the sea cow, is a large, slow-moving marine mammal that feeds exclusively on seagrass. 

Unlike dolphins or whales, dugongs are strict herbivores, grazing on underwater meadows in shallow, warm coastal waters. An adult dugong can consume up to 30 – 40 kilograms of seagrass a day, helping maintain the health and balance of these fragile........

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