Dugongs of the Mediterranean: Myths and Extinction

Dugongs, sea cows' cousins, once grazed the Mediterranean seagrass. Ancient mariners might have encountered these serene animals, leading to mermaid myths. Their presence in these waters is a tale lost in time.

The Mediterranean basin, a biodiversity hotspot, was home to dugongs millennia ago. Climate change, human activity, and habitat loss led to their disappearance from these waters before modern scientific records could document them.

Dugongs thrived in lush seagrass meadows, their primary food source. The decline of these underwater gardens in the Mediterranean contributed to the dugong's local extinction, showcasing the importance of habitat conservation.

Mediterranean dugongs influenced coastal cultures. Artifacts and writings suggest that dugong sightings inspired seafaring legends, intertwining with the fabric of maritime folklore and the mythos of sirens and mermaids.

Fossil records and archaeological findings, like bones and depictions, provide the only evidence of the Mediterranean’s former dugong inhabitants, offering a glimpse into the ancient ecosystem and its charismatic megafauna.

The dugong’s Mediterranean extinction serves as a historical lesson on biodiversity loss. It emphasizes the need for marine conservation efforts to protect the remaining dugong populations in other parts of the world.