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  Bernama 6 Sep 06
Baby Dugong 'Puteri Kapas' Dies

KUALA TERENGGANU, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- The baby dugong that was found in waters off Pulau Kapas two weeks ago, died Tuesday night despite the state government's efforts to save it.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh expressed regret over the death of the mammal, fondly known as Puteri Kapas, as it had become an attraction in the island.

"We are sad that Puteri Kapas has died. The state government did all it could to ensure it survived but perhaps because it was unwell when found and also having got separated from its mother, made it difficult," he told reporters after chairing the weekly State Exco meeting here Wednesday.

The dugong, which was about two-weeks-old when found, was adopted by the state government and RM140,000 was set aside to sponsor programmes to take care of it.

Idris said that he had yet to be informed of the cause of death and that the Fisheries Department had been directed to prepare a report on the matter.

Meanwhile, an environmentalist who wanted to be known only as Mohamad, 40, contended that the baby dugong's death could have been avoided if it had been allowed to roam freely at the marine park area where it was found.

Mohamad claimed that he was among the early divers who found Puteri Kapas, and that the animal's movements were restricted as it was kept in a small box containing salt water at the Gem Resort in Pulau Kapas.

The baby dugong was placed under the care of Turtle and Marine Ecosystem Centre (TUMEC) following its deteriorating condition after having separated from its mother.

"We regret that a baby dugong, which should have been allowed to roam freely at sea, was kept inside a 24'X24' pool, which is too small for such a species ," he told Bernama.

Mohamad said that he stumbled upon the baby dugong while diving to draw the Jalur Gemilang (national flag) on the seabed in conjunction with the National Day.

He said he was filled with joy with the discovery as it was the first time a dugong had been found in Terengganu waters. "I saw the baby dugong, which had lost its mother. It refused to come off the hull of a tourist boat (thinking it was the body of its mother) at the island's jetty until the authorities captured it," he added.

TUMEC chief Kamaruddin Ibrahim could not be contacted for comment. -- BERNAMA
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