As the saying goes, your actions may not save the world but they will mean the world to the life you save. At a time when humans seem more focused on their own well being than ever before, nature conservation may have slipped even further down the list of priorities. The Dugong isn’t very widely known and soon there might not be any left to know about at all. Dr Vic Cockcroft, a marine mammal scientist studies these beautiful creatures and he dreads the day they become extinct in Africa. Dr Cockcroft has dedicated his life to educating people and changing perspectives. As dugong populations dwindle, he hopes to turn the tide and save these little-known vegetarian aquatic mammals. He shares his story with Tom Learmont of FirstRand Perspectives. – Melani Nathan