James Cook was the first explorer to extensively chart the islands of Tonga. His first visit in 1773 was a success and the islands became widely known as the “Friendly Islands.” Tonga is the single Pacific island nation never to have fallen under the complete control of a foreign power; it has managed to remain independent.
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Dugong dugong - There are four living animals in the Serenia order; one species of dugong and three species of manatees. They are sometimes referred to as “sea cows” because of their habit of grazing on the thick clumps of sea grass such as those of the pondweed and tape grass family, both found along the bottom of warm river estuaries, mangrove channels, and shallow bays. An adult dugong can grow to a length of about 3 meters and rarely exceeds a weight of 425 kilos; females are larger than males.
