Tracking dugong movements

Australia is home to the world’s largest dugong population – yet even here, dugong numbers are declining in some regions. Improving our understanding of Australian dugong populations, including how and where they spend their time, is essential to conserving this globally vulnerable species.

Tracking fine-scale movements of dugongs can reveal vital data on their feeding grounds, movements and habitat use, diving behaviours, and potential threats. These insights are critical to shaping effective management strategies.

We are exploring new technologies to gain more accurate data and deeper insights into dugong behaviour and habitat use, ranging from fine-scale activities to regional-scale movements.

This work is conducted in co-leadership with Traditional Owners across northern Australia.

Technological solutions

Our researchers are using innovative multi-sensor tags to gain insights into dugong behaviours not visible above the water. This includes understanding when they feed, travel, and rest, and how much energy is spent on these essential behaviours.

We also use established GPS-satellite tags, which provide information on the movement and habitat use of dugongs from within a bay all the way to across hundreds of kilometres of coastline.

The team also provides technical support as part of research collaborations with African Parks in Mozambique, Murdoch University in Broome, and the Australian National University in Shark Bay.

This research will provide insights into dugong behaviour to inform local and regional management of dugongs – such as better identifying Biologically Important Areas around northern Australia. Understanding how these animals use their habitats will also provide insights into potential disturbances and dugong responses to disturbance.

Project details

This program is led by Dr Christophe Cleguer. Multi-sensor tracking is led by PhD candidate Renae Lambourne, Professor Helene Marsh, and Adrian Gleiss (Murdoch University), in collaboration with the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation. GPS-satellite tracking is currently conducted in co-leadership with Yawuru Traditional Owners in Broome and Ngaro Traditional Owners in the Whitsunday Islands Region.

The program is supported by the National Environmental Science Program, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, and the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, with additional funding from the Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment and the Ecological Society of Australia.