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Okinawa Dugong & Proposed Airbase

Case Number # 24620

The American military is trying to force the Japanese government to build a new airbase on a reef used by endangered dugong (cousin to the Florida manatee) for feeding and resting. In January 2008, a federal judge ruled against the Department of Defense, ordering the DoD to consider the impact of the base on the dugong's habitat.
Center for Biological Diversity
Committee Against Heliport Construction - Save Life Society
Dugong Network Okinawa
Japan Environmental Lawyers Foundation
Save The Dugong Foundation
Turtle Island Restoration Network
Martin Wagner

Press Releases

Federal Judge Rules Against U.S. Defense Department Plans for Airbase in Habitat of Okinawa Dugong
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Species considered cultural icon by Okinawan people
Okinawa Air Base Deal Still Controversial
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
New plan does not guarantee survival of endangered marine mammal
Judge Rules US Defense Department Must Consider Fate of Okinawan Dugong
Wednesday, March 2, 2005
Species considered cultural icon by Okinawan people
International Conservation Groups Call on Bush & Koizumi to Save the Okinawa Dugong
Tuesday, September 7, 2004
New airbase would destroy essential dugong habitat
US & Japanese Conservation Groups Join in Legal Effort to Save Okinawa Dugong from Extinction
Thursday, September 25, 2003
Lawsuit filed to halt US airbase construction in ocean waters off Okinawa, Japan, that would destroy the habitat of endangered dugong (seacow)