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My favorite - The Dugong

December 10, 2015

Ramil Balicol loves Dugongs for their cuteness factor. He says they look like soft toys, though it is rare to actually catch sight of one.

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Image: Nicola Sfondrini / CC BY 2.0

My favorite: The Dugong

Philippine diving instructor Ramil Balicol loves Dugongs because they're cute and look like big soft toys. But their appetite belies their cuteness - as dugongs eat some 25 kilograms of seaweed a day. When they're not feeding, they enjoy floating near the surface of the water. That said, it is rare to catch a glimpse of one.

About "My favorite"

With all the talk of endangered species, the value of biodiversity and the usefulness of ecosystems, we sometimes forget why plants and animals are really worth protecting: because we love them, or depend on them for our own wellbeing. People from all walks of life and in all parts of the world have a favorite species. The reasons are many - perhaps because it is beautiful, or fascinating, or it helps them secure a livelihood. Meet some of these people and their favorites in our series "My favorite."