3. Delightful Dugong
Delightful Dugong, buoyant and bulbous, these playful creatures inhabit the Indo-Pacific waters, especially near Australia’s northern coasts. However, the dugong is listed as vulnerable to extinction due to loss of habitat and historical hunting for meat and oil. Their seagrass-based diet requires them to consume a significant amount daily, as adults can weigh more than 550 pounds. Their closest land relative is surprisingly the elephant, and their grazing habits resemble those of cows. Although conservation efforts are underway to protect the dugong, their population remains at risk.
