HERVEY Bay's dugongs have fared worse than their Moreton Bay
counterparts after the summer floods, a Sea World and University
of Queensland survey has found. Researchers from UQ, Sea World
and Taronga Zoo spent the past two weeks catching wild dugongs
to survey the health of the populations. It was the first time
the team had carried out its revolutionary capture methods in
Hervey Bay, which suffered massive losses to its dugongs after
the 1991 floods. “We've been studying dugongs with UQ for many
years, probably 10 years, but it was only four years ago we
developed the techniques and processes to be able to lift them
(dugongs) out on board and do the work,” said Sea World's
director of marine sciences, Trevor Long. “You've got to
remember these are big animals and they're very sensitive
animals. We've got to be very, very cognisant of their welfare
and caring about our approach.” UQ marine mammal researcher Dr
Janet Lanyon said the 1991 floods showed that the Hervey Bay
dugongs were more vulnerable than the