Caged sea cows in Indonesia freed

Divers found a pair of illegally captured sea cows or dugongs in Indonesia. The adult was bound by a rope wrapped around its tail. The two, which seem to be mother and its calf, were eventually freed. (Screen Grab from Delon Lim’s Facebook page)

Two concerned divers have alerted authorities after finding a pair of sea cows tied and concealed inside a steel cage near the remote island of Kokoya in Indonesia.

Sea cows, also known as dugong, are rare marine animals being closely monitored by marine wildlife authorities due to their vulnerability to extinction. They are closely related to manatees.

Citing a report from animal welfare website dodo.com, a diver named Delon Lim discovered what appeared to be a mother and its calf held in separate cages.

The younger dugong was kept without restraint, while the adult was bound by a rope wrapped around its tail.

The rare animals were allegedly captured by a local fisherman who apparently wanted to profit from tourists at the animals’ expense.

“He asked for some money if we want to see the dugong or take a picture,” Lim said.

The Indonesian diver also pointed out the poor condition of the animals, which indicates that  they may have been trapped for more than several weeks.

“The ropes were worn and torn and the scars and the wound on her tail are so deep,” said Lim.

“It was very heartbreaking,” he added.

The divers reluctantly agreed to pay the fisherman, who allowed them to enter the cages and take photos and videos of the creatures’ ordeal.

Instagram user @rmahendradani shared the video on his page.

Within hours of posting the pictures on social media, Lim was contacted by wildlife authorities requesting the location of the cages. The mother and child dugongs were finally freed after officials found them on the spot the following day. Charges are now being filed against the animals’ unnamed captor.