2010 International Year of the Dugong • Report from Save the Dugong Campaign Center

A Japanese NGO, Save the Dugong Campaign Center joined the 4th World Conservation Congress held by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

During the congress, the IUCN adopted a recommendation to protect the Okinawan Dugong during the UN 2010 International Year for Biodiversity.

The Japanese and the US governments has been planning to expand a US Marine base located at a biologically sensitive coral reef on the northwest coast of Okinawa, the last habitat of the Okinawa Dugong.

This video explains the situation in Okinawa; what Save the Dugong Campaign Center has done to appeal this situation in the other part of Japan, during the congress: and the meaning of this recommendation.

Related articles:

"US military base may wipe out unique mammal"（Terra Viva)

"U.S. Judge Extends Act's Protections: New base must consider effects on dugong" (The Japan Times)

"Internationalizing the Okinawan Struggle: Implications of the 2006 Elections in Okinawa and the US" by Yoshikawa Hideki (The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus)