“Experts are planning to regroup on Monday morning to assess conditions, with a view to recovering the animal and relocating it to Sea World on the Gold Coast for rehabilitation and release,” a National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) representative explained.

“The animal’s condition appears to be deteriorating and there are grave concerns for the dugong as they typically live in warmer water, and cannot survive in the longer term at this low water temperature, so leaving the animal in situ is not a long-term option.”

A pair of dugongs was spotted in the estuary up to six weeks ago and on the weekend one (believed to be a lactating female) was found dead.

Dugong dead and another under observation.

The remaining dugong is approximately 2 metres which indicates it is mature enough to feed on sea grass (which occurs in the Macleay estuary).

Covered in algae and with skin lesions from the cold water (they prefer warmer waters to the north) there are, however grave concerns for the animal.

It is extremely rare to see them this far south, as they prefer warmer water (the most southerly population in Australia is at Moreton Bay, Queensland).

Vice president of ORRCA (Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia) Shona Lorigan urges the community to keep their distance and admits any relocation will be complicated.

“It is going to be very very stressful.”

She urges anybody with information or photos to contact ORRCA’s hotline on 9415 3333.

Some footage captured by ORRCA which shows the dugong off in the distance in the Macleay River.