Center in Japan, Fighting to Save Dugongs
The Okinawa dugong is one of our planet's most endangered marine mammals. A Center team is in Japan this week to help prevent this gentle, severely imperiled manatee relative from being wiped out by the American military.
Under the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Defense is plowing ahead with plans to build a massive new air base in Okinawa's Henoko Bay, smack in the heart of key dugong habitat.
Led by Center cofounder Peter Galvin and Mati Waiya, a Chumash tribe ceremonial leader and Center board member, our team is visiting the proposed air base site. Dugongs are an ancient Okinawan icon, so we're working with local activists to challenge the base in court and preserve this creature with profound significance to the island's indigenous culture.
Join the fight to save Okinawa dugongs.