First Verified Dugong (Dugong dugon) Sighting at Pulau Pannikiang, with Dugong Encounters Data Across South Sulawesi's West Coastal Frontier

In this study, we report the first scientifically confirmed sighting of Dugong dugon at Pulau Pannikiang (−4.3519°, 119.5994°), a mangrove-dominated island on the west coast of South Sulawesi, Barru Regency, Indonesia. The solitary individual was observed displaying foraging behavior in a Thalassia hemprichii seagrass meadow, followed by a school of Golden Travellay fish, Gnathanodon speciosus. This sighting was photographically documented in the form of photographs and a 79-second video. This record expands the known geographic range of this IUCN Vulnerable species in South Sulawesi and underscores the ecological importance of understudied coastal habitats. Interviews with fishermen revealed sporadic historical sightings, suggesting long-term site relevance. A juvenile stranding incident in August 2021, likely due to vessel trauma, emphasizes the mounting anthropogenic pressures. We contextualize this finding by compiling 13 confirmed regional records of D. dugon between 2007 and 2024. The compiled data, spanning 17 years, indicates a persistent yet spatially scattered presence of Dugong dugon along the coastal and island regions of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sightings, strandings, and foraging behaviors have been documented across multiple data types—ranging from peer-reviewed journals and conservation reports to local news and community observations—underscoring both scientific and anecdotal acknowledgment of dugong activity. This observation provides essential baseline data for dugong conservation and highlights the urgent need for improved habitat protection, marine mammal monitoring frameworks, and spatial planning. Strengthening local conservation policies and engaging coastal communities are crucial steps toward safeguarding seagrass ecosystems and their megafauna.