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A dugong digs in seagrass for food. Earthjustice is fighting to protect the endangered Okinawan dugong.
(Andrea Izzotti / Getty Images)
Article July 9, 2018

Standing up for the Dugong, in Costumes and in Court

Earthjustice has asked the court to halt construction of a U.S. military base until the Department of Defense complies with laws dealing with preservation.

document August 21, 2017

Dugong Appeals Court Opinion

The panel affirmed in part, reversed in part and remanded for further proceedings in an action brought by environmental groups and individuals who challenged a decision by the U.S. Department of Defense to construct a new military base on Okinawa, Japan.

Dugongs are gentle marine mammals related to manatees and have been celebrated as “sirens” that bring friendly warnings of tsunamis. Recent surveys have only been able to conclude that at least three dugongs remain in Okinawa.
(Photo courtesy of Matthijs Rouw)
Press Release August 21, 2017

Appeals Court Affirms Right to Sue U.S. Military over Impacts of New Military Base

Rare Japanese dugongs one step closer to finally getting their day in court

The dugong is a marine mammal similar to the Florida manatee.
(Andrea Izzotti/iStock)
Article December 16, 2015

Fighting to Protect the Dugongs of Japan’s Henoko Bay

Earthjustice has been involved for more than a decade in legal efforts to protect the Okinawa dugong and Henoko Bay, one of the dugong’s last remaining habitats.

Dugongs are gentle marine mammals related to manatees and have been celebrated as “sirens” that bring friendly warnings of tsunamis. Recent surveys have only been able to conclude that at least three dugongs remain in Okinawa.
(Photo courtesy of Jason James)
Press Release December 12, 2014

Coalition of Japanese and U.S. Groups Argue Case To Save Cultural Icon and Species from U.S. Military Base Expansion in Japan

Bring case to save culturally important species to Federal Court in California

document January 24, 2008

Dugong Decision (1/24/08)

Judge Patel's decision on Okinawa Dugong and Department of Defense compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act

Press Release: Victory January 24, 2008

Federal Judge Rules Against U.S. Defense Department Plans for Airbase in Habitat of Okinawa Dugong

Species considered cultural icon by Okinawan people

Press Release October 26, 2005

Okinawa Air Base Deal Still Controversial

New plan does not guarantee survival of endangered marine mammal

Press Release March 2, 2005

Judge Rules US Defense Department Must Consider Fate of Okinawan Dugong

Species considered cultural icon by Okinawan people

Press Release September 7, 2004

International Conservation Groups Call on Bush & Koizumi to Save the Okinawa Dugong

New airbase would destroy essential dugong habitat

The dugong is a large sea mammal related to the manatee and the extinct Steller’s sea cow.
(Shutterstock)
case October 21, 2003

Protecting the Endangered Dugong From a Proposed Military Airbase

A U.S. base expansion in Okinawa, Japan, would pave over some of the last remaining habitat for critically endangered Okinawa dugongs, ancient cultural icons for the Okinawan people and marine mammals related to manatees. The dugong is listed as an object of national cultural significance under Japan’s Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, the…

Press Release September 25, 2003

US & Japanese Conservation Groups Join in Legal Effort to Save Okinawa Dugong from Extinction

Lawsuit filed to halt US airbase construction in ocean waters off Okinawa, Japan, that would destroy the habitat of endangered dugong (seacow)