The Seychelles Mermaid: A Melding of Myth and Marine Ecology

 

 

The Seychelles mermaid, often associated with the endangered Dugong, or the “Sea cow”, has stirred countless debates among historians, researchers, and marine biologists. The Dugong, a sea creature known also by several names such as “Lady of the Sea”, “Sea pig”, and “Sea camel”, is an endangered species that once frequented the lagoons of Aldabra in Seychelles.These creatures, according to the folklore, were seen as aquatic mermaids, featuring prominently in the local mythology and seafaring narratives. The first stories of mermaids emerged in ancient Assyria, later finding a place in global cultures, thanks to fairy tales like Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” published in 1836.