Project Lawud

20/06/2026

A lone adult male dugong was found dead along the coast of Barangay Pangyan, Glan, Sarangani Province, on June 9, 2026. The cause of death remains unknown.

While every dugong death is a loss, each stranding record is also important in helping us better understand the species, the possible threats they face, and the condition of the habitats they depend on. Proper documentation of stranded marine wildlife can contribute to stronger scientific knowledge, improved response efforts, and better conservation decisions in the future.

Every dugong matters. Every record matters. Every seagrass meadow matters.

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Isang matandang lalaking dugong o duyung ang natagpuang patay sa baybayin ng Barangay Pangyan, Glan, Sarangani Province noong Hunyo 9, 2026. Hindi pa rin matukoy ang sanhi ng pagkamatay nito.

Bagama’t isang pagkawala ang bawat pagkamatay ng dugong, mahalaga rin ang bawat stranding record upang mas maintindihan natin ang species na ito, ang mga posibleng banta sa kanila, at ang kalagayan ng mga habitat na kanilang tinitirhan. Sa pamamagitan ng maayos na dokumentasyon ng mga stranded marine wildlife, mas napapalawak ang ating kaalamang siyentipiko, napapabuti ang pag-responde, at nagiging mas matibay ang mga desisyon para sa konserbasyon sa hinaharap.

Mahalaga ang bawat dugong. Mahalaga ang bawat tala. Mahalaga ang bawat seagrass meadow.

25/05/2026

MEET OUR PROJECT ADVISER: Dr. Jom (Jo Marie Acebes). Not “Joms”. 🌊🐋
Conservation biologist. Veterinarian. Historian of the sea.
Dr. Jo Marie Acebes is the founder and principal investigator of .org.ph — the organization behind the longest-running continuous cetacean research in the Philippines. From pioneering humpback whale studies in northern Luzon to leading blue whale research in the Bohol Sea, her work helped shape how the country understands and protects its largest marine giants.
With expertise in biology, biodiversity conservation, veterinary medicine, and marine environmental history, Doc Jom bridges science across disciplines, from marine mammal population biology and fisheries history to human-sea interactions.

She once dreamed of studying mountain gorillas in Africa.
Instead, the whales called, and she answered.
More than a decade in conservation has taught her that protecting whales is also about people, policy, and the future of our Philippine seas that we call home.
Project Lawud is proud to be guided by her depth, discipline, and daring vision.

17/05/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶 𝗕𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 joins the observance of 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 in raising awareness on the importance of protecting threatened wildlife and their habitats for future generations.

Among the remarkable marine species found in Sarangani Bay is the 𝗗𝘂𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗴 (𝘋𝘶𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘶𝘨𝘰𝘯), a gentle marine mammal known as the “sea cow” that relies on healthy seagrass meadows for survival. As an endangered species, dugongs face growing threats from habitat degradation, pollution, accidental entanglement, and human disturbances.

The protection of dugongs is closely tied to the conservation of our coastal and marine ecosystems. By safeguarding seagrass beds and promoting sustainable practices, we help ensure a healthier ocean not only for dugongs, but also for countless marine species and coastal communities that depend on these resources.

This 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲, let us strengthen our commitment to biodiversity conservation and become stewards of nature by protecting the species that keep our ecosystems balanced and thriving.

When we protect endangered species, we protect our future.

17/05/2026

06/05/2026

Congratulations to our Volunteer Intern, Francine Undray for being selected as one of the 27 Bughaw Atu Youth Fellows. Francine will undergo a 6-month long fellowship focusing on leadership in marine conservation.

Project Lawud team is proud of you!

06/05/2026

Congratulations to our Volunteer Intern, Adrian Riego Rosales for being selected as one of the 27 Bughaw Atu Youth Fellows. Adrian will undergo a 6-month long fellowship focusing on leadership in marine conservation.

Project Lawud team is proud of you!

09/04/2026

Over two remarkable days in Singapore, Project Lawud had the privilege of participating in the World Wildlife Day Regional Youth Symposium on 28–29 March 2026 hosted by NParks.

On the first day, the symposium opened space for important conversations on wildlife trade, wildlife health, and wildlife conservation, especially through discussions under Wild Deals, Viral Consequences and Human-Wildlife Interfaces. These conversations showed how conservation is never separate from people, policy, disease, and the many decisions that shape the future of wildlife.

On the second day, Project Lawud joined the Saltwater Stories: Marine Ecology in Singapore workshop by NParks, where participants learned about coral restoration, marine conservation initiatives, genetic research involving hawksbill sea turtles, disease detection, and the challenges posed by illegal marine wildlife trade. It was a strong reminder that protecting marine ecosystems requires both science and stewardship.

That same afternoon, Project Lawud presented its conservation and research work on dugongs in the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) during the Youth Showcase, with special emphasis on drone research and an interactive quiz game for participants. The booth also shared the conservation work of the Protected Area Management Office of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape on dugongs and SBPS, through the materials they generously provided, including their merch calendar, planner, and the Balud magazine.

Project Lawud’s participation reflected the heart of the symposium theme: the intersections among wildlife trade, wildlife health, and wildlife conservation. Dugong conservation is not only about protecting a vulnerable keystone species. It is also about understanding habitats, listening to communities, supporting research, and building stronger connections between conservation practice and the people who share space with wildlife.

Small milestones matter, and opportunities like this remind us that youth-led conservation work, rooted in collaboration and community, has a meaningful place in shaping the future of marine biodiversity.

03/04/2026