On the south coast of Papua New Guinea, hunters launch their canoe. Their quarry, a dugong.
740 Sunday on the edge of survival, a rare and endangered sea animal, the dugong.
To make sure that the harpoon, the wopo, as the Kiwai call it, is strong, accurate and lucky,
the harpooner trails it through the water and recites a spell.
Tradition protects the hunters' rights, but modern methods are bringing new threats.
In the past few years, new techniques have increased the annual dugong catch five times,
and that puts at risk not only Manugu's livelihood, but the continued existence of the dugong itself.
The Dugong Hunters of Daru on the edge of survival, Sunday at 740.
Next tonight, the world at war traces the Burma campaign. Today's big story is with the nationwide
team at 8.25. Our new series on alternative medicine, healers, quacks or mystics, premieres
at 5 to 9, then the latest from the ABC newsroom at 9.25. Every man at 9.35 probes the lives of the
ferocious Amazon ochre Indians. At 10 past 10, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra
and the music of Fize and Ravel. Keep an eye on 2 tonight.