Rare Japanese Dugong Threatened By U.S. Military Base

The rare Okinawa dugong has been classified as "critically endangered" on Japan's Ministry of the Environment Red List, the Japanese equivalent to the U.S. government's endangered species list, officials announced this month. About 100,000 dugongsu"relatives of the manateesu"live in the coastal waters of the South Pacific and Indian oceans. The Okinawa dugong is the northernmost population, and scientists believe only about 50 remain. Environmental groups say the dugong's addition to the Red List is long overdue and expressed hope that the new designation will come with stronger actions to protect the marine mammals...