The estimated 5-month-old female dugong named Marium has become an internet hit in Thailand after images of marine biologists embracing and feeding the aquatic mammal with milk and sea grass spread across social media. ADVERTISEMENTThe dugong is a species of marine mammal similar to the American manatee and can grow to about 3.4 meters (11 feet) in length. Officials later tried to release it into a dugong habitat off the coast of another island but it swam away. Veterinarians and volunteers set out each day in canoes to locate Marium near the dugong habitat off Ko Libong island. Nantarika said dugongs typically stop feeding on milk at around 18 months and usually spend around eight years under their mothers’ care.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer June 14, 2019 10:52 UTC