On Monday (Nov 10) I joined again! We usually rest in the room at the base of the dolphin tanks while waiting for our turn to work on the seals. While I was in the dolphin room, this one gave me a kiss through the glass! (Though I’m against cetaceans in captivity, I love the animals 🐬)

Here's a video that one of us filmed with a drone (couldn't remember who filmed this one). The water around Talibong Island was too murky to see anything after the dugong submerged. I'll have to make use of our older video data for my thesis instead 💀 #MarMam

Here’s a close up look with Hama-chan, one of the three spotted seals in the Aquarium. She’s the biggest one and, in my opinion, THE CUTEST BABE! Her sleep posture is unique. She stays away from the boys. She is the icon ✨ 🦭

On Oct 9 and 12, I went to Kyoto Aquarium with Dr Kimura’s team to help out with their research on spotted seals behavior under anthropogenic noise. I learned so many things and the seals were just too cute! It’s also my first time seeing a seal’s toenails (flippernails?). Thanks for inviting me! 🦭

On Sep 9th, I spoke in an event, Alternative and Sustainability and DEIB from ASEAN-Japan Perspectives. I talked about how important marine mammals are and how international collaboration in #MarMam research is essential. Thank you Assoc. Prof. Satoko Kimura for giving me this precious opportunity!

The Dugong Team of Kyoto University went to Talibong Island for a fieldwork in July (I know it’s October now but I just remembered that I should post about it). Dugong footage is in my laptop so those will follow later. In the meantime please enjoy the shenanigans.
#MarMam

It’s June! Getting ready for the presentation about my research plan. Since it is said that dugongs are the models of mermaid legends, I’m including this cute illustration (from irasutoya) on my slide. Hope my supervisor likes it! lol

So this is one of the videoI took on that day. A great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)!

Went to practice flying the drone with our dugong research team today! It’s my first time operating it. Fun and thrilling! Definitely need some more hours of practice because I’ll need to use drones to collect data for my senior project.
(Thank you Dr. Ichikawa for the lesson and the footages :D)

@Tang-Khen Bay, Phuket
Dugong spotting here was so predictable that we were able to see one in front of us when we were on kayaks! Thanks to Dr. Ichikawa’s magic eyes and P’Pop’s info that led us to the spot. This one is called Khao Lek, whose ID characteristic is a white patch of scar on her back.

Just wrapped up our dugong survey this season in Trang and Phuket, Thailand. I came with Dr. Kotaro Ichikawa and his students to observe and translate stuff, and find inspiration for my senior project. So many happened during our 11 day journey! Super grateful for the amazing people I met. #MarMam

Mae Pha Fun, a Bryde’s whale in the Gulf of Thailand was found dead stranded on Dec 29th. The whale was seen thin, not having the best body condition some months ago out in the water. Are we really going to snatch their food away fully aware that they don’t have enough already? #MarineMammals
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🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
The Thai parliament is pushing for a law amendment in section 69 of the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries against the disapproval of local fishermen and scientists. This will allow the mesh size of LESS THAN 2.5 cm to operate beyond the 12 NM at night using fishing lights.
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