Autopsy results of the dugong calf carcass in Phang Nga found tendon and rope in the intestines, but the exact cause of death could not be concluded due to the decomposed condition of the carcass.
On 1 August 2026, the Upper Andaman Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center (UAMCRC) reported the autopsy results of a stranded dugong carcass found on 31 July 2026 along the shore of Ban Bang Chan, Village No.7, Lo Yung Subdistrict, Takua Thung District, Phang Nga Province. Staff from Marine National Park Operations Center 2 in Phuket and citizen scientists assisted in locating, tracking, and coordinating with the Marine Resource Conservation Division, Region 6, to transport the carcass to UAMCRC for autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Examination showed the carcass to be a male juvenile dugong in moderate decomposition. The head, both pectoral fins, and tail were cut off with sharp objects postmortem. The remaining body length was 105 cm, weighing 24 kg, with an estimated total length of about 150 cm. The body condition score was normal (BCS=3/5).
Externally, the skin layer was peeling due to advanced decomposition. Some skull bones remained attached, but cheekbones showed cracks likely caused by blunt force trauma. The frontal bone, nasal bone, and upper jawbone were missing, and some internal organs were lost.
Internal examination found most organs decomposed. The digestive tract was packed with seagrass, and foreign objects such as tendons and ropes were found in the intestines. The cause of death could not be conclusively determined due to the carcass's decomposition, preventing clear identification of pathological signs. UAMCRC staff collected tissue samples to send for laboratory testing to obtain further information.
