KRABI - Authorities are investigating the death of a dugong found stranded on a beach in this southern province after discovering that both of its tusks had been removed.
Officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), together with marine researchers, examined the carcass after it was found at Laem Son Na in tambon Koh Si Boya of Nuea Khlong district on Thursday.
The male dugong measured 3 metres in length. The carcass had begun decomposing but it remained largely intact, with only minor abrasions believed to have resulted from stranding.
Both tusks had been cut off, with sharp-force wounds detected around the mouth. They believed the tusks were removed after the protected marine mammal had died.
The rare marine species play a vital role in maintaining healthy seagrass ecosystems. Illegally removing their tusks or mutilating their carcasses is a serious offence under Thai law.
Authorities filed a complaint with Khlong Khanan police on Thursday and are pursuing legal action under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act.
Offenders can face 3-15 years in prison and a fine of 300,000 to 1.5 million baht.
The carcass was taken to the Lower Andaman Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre for a necropsy to determine the cause of death.
