Dugongs, or ‘sea cows’, are among the ocean’s most elusive marine mammals and are thought to have inspired some of the earliest tales of mermaids. This talk by Patricia Davis from the Natural History Museum, Colchester follows efforts to locate and study dugong populations across Palau and Micronesia, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Madagascar and the Comoros Islands. It explores how researchers are combining traditional field techniques, including snorkelling and diving surveys, with novel approaches such as drones and environmental DNA (eDNA), while also drawing on the invaluable knowledge of Indigenous and local communities. Together, these methods are helping to reveal where dugongs still survive, how they use their habitats, and what can be done to conserve these increasingly threatened ‘mermaids’ of the sea.

18:30 doors for 19:00 start Wednesday 11th November 2026

Ample opportunity for Q&A and discussion…

Admission is free by ticket only. They are issued on a first come first served basis from

Access will be via the garden gate entrance at the rear.  For directions, see:- https://what3words.com/formed.handle.sits

For details of previous meetings, visit cafescientifique.org

Visit the Facebook Page:- www.facebook.com/cafescientifiquecolchester