Another Dolphin Calf Recorded This Year

An estimated two-week-old dolphin calf was spotted in Kampi deep pool in Kratie province, according to the Fisheries Administration.

The research team of the Government’s Fisheries Administration and WWF photographed the new dolphin calf on Oct. 2, and confirmed it was the sixth calf recorded this year, it said.

The calf was swimming together with other four adult dolphins when the research team spotted it during their survey in the dolphin habitat area located about three kilometres upstream of Kampi deep pool in Sambo district, Kratie province. 

In 2021, the source pointed out, six dolphin calves were recorded.

Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is ranked as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, the highest international threat ranking for endangered species. The Mekong population was estimated at 89 individuals. 

The Fisheries Administration and WWF will engage the local authorities in protecting the habitat areas where calves were recorded, while continuing to reinforce the fisheries law and dolphin conservation measures across the whole dolphin habitat along the Mekong from Kratie to Stung Treng provinces. These will be done through river guards’ regular patrols and engaging fishery communities’ participation in alternative livelihoods initiatives and conservation of the remaining dolphins and mega fish species by stop using fishing practices prohibited by the laws, particularly gillnets and electrofishing.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press