The dugong (Dugong dugon) inhabits the coastal waters of at least 37 and up to 44 countries and territories, making their global status difficult to define; however, they are critically endangered in some areas and at least vulnerable in others (Marsh et al. 2011; IUCN 2015).

A significant proportion of the world’s dugongs are found in northern Australian waters. Dugongs are conservation-dependent because of their low reproductive rate, high investment in offspring and dependence on coastal seagrass habitats (Marsh et al.

1984; Marsh et al. 2011). In Australia the primary threats to dugongs include entanglement in gill- nets and marine debris; indigenous hunting; boat strikes; and habitat loss or degradation from extreme weather events (e.g. cyclones), likely exacerbated by climate change, human settlement and agricultural and other pollution. Dugong populations are restricted to certain geographical areas and are limited by their dependence on seagrass. Loss or decline in quality of seagrass habitat affects growth, reproductive rates, health and mortality.

This chapter presents advances in dugong medicine since the publication of the first edition of Medicine of Aus­tralian Mammals. The medicine and pathology of dugongs are covered in Woods et al. (2008), Ladds (2009) and Blyde (2023) and this chapter should be read alongside these.

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More on the topic The dugong (Dugong dugon) inhabits the coastal waters of at least 37 and up to 44 countries and territories, making their global status difficult to define; however, they are critically endangered in some areas and at least vulnerable in others (Marsh et al. 2011; IUCN 2015).: