A Torres Strait Islander who apologised for killing an albino dugong has since boasted on social media about how “nice” the meat tasted.
Conservationists have branded the man’s behaviour as “highly inappropriate” after he responded to criticism about the killing of the all-white sea mammal, which has been compared to someone slaying Migaloo, the albino humpback whale.
The dugong was believed to have died via harpoon around four years ago, although images of the pale creature only surfaced on social media late last week.
The Mabuiag Island man, whom The Cairns Post has chosen not to identify, has apologised on social media for his “mistake” in killing the animal.
He was quoted as saying everybody makes mistakes and that he was sorry although later responded to a question saying the animal “tasted nice”.
Torres Strait leaders have criticised the hunter , calling for greater education within islander communities about traditional take of the species.
Dugongs are listed as a vulnerable species in Queensland’s waters, but may be legally hunted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people under native title law for personal, domestic or non-commercial communal needs. White dugongs are not especially protected under current law although albino humpback whales, like Migaloo, are.
Cairns and Far North Environment Centre president Denis Walls say the response about how the dugong tasted was “highly inappropriate”.