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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Gloria Dickie in Phuket. Photographs by Mailee Osten-Tan

Looking for Miracle: why have so many dugongs gone missing from Thailand’s shores?

Miracle Thailand Drone Phuket
Aerial view of a large marine mammal surfacing for air in a clear blue sea
A drone hovers above a feeding dugong in Tang Khen Bay, off Phuket. Dugongs, a sea cow species related to manatees, are particularly threatened by loss of habitat, pollution and tourism Photograph: Mailee Osten-Tan

A solitary figure stands on the shore of Thailand’s Tang Khen Bay. The tide is slowly rising over the expanse of sandy beach, but the man does not seem to notice. His eyes are not fixed on the sea, but on the small screen clutched between his hands.

About 600 metres offshore, past the shadowy fringe of coral reef, his drone hovers over the murky sea, focused on a whirling grey shape: Miracle, the local dugong, is back.

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