U.S. Military Base in Okinawa Threatens Rare Dugongs

The U.S. and Japanese governments are planning to destroy the best remaining habitat of a unique and critically endangered marine mammal — the Okinawa dugong. This dugong, a relative of the manatee, is a rare marine mammal that feeds in the seagrass beds and coral reefs of Okinawa's Henoko Bay. Fewer than 50 individual dugongs remain in an area described by the United Nations Environment Program as "the most important known dugong habitat in Japan." If the U.S. military proceeds with its Camp Schwab construction plan this exceptional, rare animal will lose the best habitat it has left and begin its last slide toward extinction.

Taking action is easy. Visit the Center for Biological Diversity's activist campaigns.

Learn more about dugongs.