27 October 1999

Dugong Carcass in Bowen, 26 October 1999

QPWS received a report yesterday of a dead dugong in Bowen.  The animal was
located by QPWS officers at Hanson
Park, Queens Beach.  It was retrieved and examined.

The animal was a sub-adult female.  The head, flippers and tail were
missing. The remaining torso measured 130 cm in length.  There was
extensive damage consistent with shark bites occurring after death.  The
post-mortem examination did not reveal any obvious signs of disease or
indications of human interaction with the animal.

The cause of death at this point is undetermined, but samples were taken
from the animal for additional laboratory examination and these may provide
more information.

If more information becomes available, it will be posted to this list.


Dr Cheri A Recchia
Project Manager
Conservation, Biodiversity and World Heritage Group
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority