Beloved baby dugong ‘Mariam’ dies in Thailand with plastic in stomach

Bangkok: A sick baby dugong whose fight for recovery won hearts in Thailand and cast a spotlight on ocean conservation has died from an infection exacerbated by bits of plastic lining her stomach, officials said Saturday.

Mariam washed up in shallow waters off southwestern Thailand months ago and photos of her nuzzling playfully next to rescuers quickly went viral.

The discovery was made soon after another orphaned dugong brought the sea cows celebrity status.  A Thai princess named the second one "Jamil"  and round-the-clock webcasts were conducted giving viewers a front-row seat to feedings and treatment of the baby cows.