April 24, 2024
PHNOM PENH – There was great news for the Kingdom’s conservationists as the 7th fresh water Mekong Dolphin calf, a critically endangered species, was spotted in Kampi deep pool in Kratie province on April 22.
The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) calf was discovered by a research team from the Fisheries Administration (FiA) and WWF Cambodia in the late afternoon in Chroy Banteay commune, in Praek Prasab district, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
“The FiA of the agriculture ministry would like to thank our river guards and local authorities as well as the local people for joining hands to conserve and protect this rare fishery resource,” the ministry said.
They called on the public, especially fishermen, to report any dolphin sightings outside the protected areas to the authorities.
The new birth indicates a large jump in the number of dolphin births over last year’s eight calves, which was already regarded as a significant increase in the Cambodian population of the rare mammals.
Authorities lauded the increase in the number of new calves as proof of the success of their protection efforts, while also continuing to call for a concerted effort to protect the precious species, which was named a national treasure by the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.
At present, it is estimated that there are around 90 Irrawaddy dolphins in the protected areas in Kratie and Stung Treng provinces.