Rescued NSW dugong released back into wild

A 340kg sick dugong which had to be rescued from the NSW south coast has been rehabilitated and released back into the wild.

The 2.7m long animal dubbed Merimbula - after the lake he was found in - was in January flown to Sea World on the Gold Coast in an intensive operation involving an RAAF Hercules plane.

The 'sea cow' was moved after growing concerns about its welfare due to the cold water and lack of sea grass.

Following some much needed rehab at Sea World's vet centre, which included an antibiotic regimen and diet of sea grass hand-collected from Queensland's Moreton Bay, Merimbula was given a clean bill of health.

"Merimbula's health and skin condition improved and he was ready to be released into Moreton Bay which has a population of approximately 1000 dugongs thanks to warm waters and suitable sea grass," Sea World Director of Marine Science, Trevor Long, said on Thursday.

Wildlife officers from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection worked with Sea World to make sure Merimbula's release would not impact the resident dugong population, he said.

The dugong was also fitted with a neutrally-buoyant satellite transmitter that will hopefully provide valuable information on its movements.