Tears fill Maung Lay's eyes as he describes losing the dolphin he knew since his childhood, the latest casualty of a battle against pollution and electrofish.
The population of in the Mekong River numbers just 85 individuals and may be on the brink of extinction, according to research. The researchers also found that calf survival was very low and that the overall population is in decline. A small population living on the border of and may be in an even more perilous situation, with just 7 or 8 individuals. This is the only area in Lao PDR where dolphins remain. Photographic identification WWF’s research was based on photographic identification of individual dolphins, using unique marks on their dorsal fins to help produce a population estimate.
Although the current population estimate is slightly higher than earlier estimates, the researchers note that more data and more advanced analysis mean that previously unidentified dolphins have now been included, and that the dolphin population has not increased over recent years. “ Evidence is strong that very few young animals survive to adulthood, as older dolphins die off and are not replaced,” said Dr Li Lifeng, Director of. Critically Endangered dolphin populations The Irrawaddy dolphin is patchily distributed in shallow, coastal waters in the Indo-Pacific, from the to north-east. Freshwater populations also occur in three river systems: the Mahakam of, the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) of, and the Mekong of Cambodia, Lao PDR.
Although the species as a whole is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, the three freshwater populations are classified as Critically Endangered. Irrawaddy dolphins face a number of threats, including entanglement in fishing gear, pollution, the degradation of river systems, dam construction and live capture for aquarium display. Entanglement in fishing nets is one of the main threats to the Irrawaddy dolphin In the Mekong River, the Irrawaddy dolphin occurs in a 190 kilometre stretch between Cambodia and the border with Lao PDR, and although fully protected by law, it continues to face significant threats from entanglement in gill nets.
The causes of the high calf mortality in this population remain unclear. According to Dr Li, “ This tiny population is at high risk by its small size alone. With the added pressures of gill net entanglement and high calf mortality we are really worried for the future of dolphins.” Conserving dolphins in Cambodia WWF is working to conserve this highly endangered dolphin through coordinated management with government agencies and local communities, and through the implementation of the.
As part of this project, dolphin population surveys are being carried out at least twice a year, and research is being conducted into the causes of dolphin mortality. The Irrawaddy dolphin is regarded as a sacred animal by many people in Cambodia and Lao PDR, and dolphin-watching ecotourism also provides a source of income and jobs for local communities. WWF is calling on the Cambodian government to establish clear legislation for the protection of dolphins in Cambodia, which should include the designation of dolphin conservation zones and limits on the use of gill nets. Read the full story at. Find out more about. Liz Shaw, ARKive Species Text Author.
Pollution in the Mekong River has pushed the local population of Irrawaddy dolphins to the brink of extinction, a new report by WWF has revealed. Download the full report: PDF, 805KB The Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin ( Orcaella brevirostris) population inhabits an approximately 100-mile portion of the Mekong River between Cambodia and Laos. Since 2003, the population has suffered 88 deaths – of which over 60 percent were calves under two weeks old. The latest population is estimated between 64 and 76 members. Watch a short video of this rare dolphin gliding through the Mekong River’s waters.
© WWF Greater Mekong Researchers found toxic levels of pesticides such as DDT and environmental contaminants such as PCBs during analysis of the dead dolphin calves. These pollutants may also pose a health risk to human populations living along the Mekong that consume the same fish and water as the dolphins. High levels of mercury were also found in some of the dead dolphins.
Mercury, suspected to be from gold mining activities, directly affects the immune system making the animals more susceptible to infectious disease. Limited genetic diversity due to inbreeding was another factor in the dolphin deaths, as the Mekong River dolphins are isolated from other members of their species. Science has shown that protecting cetaceans’ habitat is a successful conservation strategy for species recovery. What is WWF doing? WWF, through our offices in Cambodia, is working closely with the government to develop a dolphin recovery plan. The WWF Greater Mekong office is also supporting a trans-boundary dolphin management project between Cambodia and Laos.
Smiling Irrawaddy Dolphins On Brink Of Extinction 2017
Key elements of the work are:. joint regulation for managing the trans-boundary conservation area for the dolphin.
establishment of inventory of trans-boundary aquatic resource. raising public awareness. promoting responsible tourism. continued Irrawaddy dolphin research Species spotlight: The Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin is regarded as a sacred animal by both the Khmer and Lao people, and is an important source of income and jobs for communities involved in dolphin-watching ecotourism initiatives.
WWF works here: The Greater Mekong Region’s wide range of habitats support extraordinary levels of biodiversity. Well-known species such as the Indo-Chinese tiger, Irrawaddy dolphin and Javan rhino live here, as well as newly-discovered fauna. More than 60 million people in the lower Mekong basin depend on the river system for food, transport and economic activity. The Mekong River produces an estimated 2.5 million tons of fish per year, with a value of at least $2 billion, making it the largest inland fisheries in the world. Eighty percent of the animal protein for Mekong inhabitants comes from the Mekong, with 70 percent of the commercial catch being long distance migrant species. Connect with WWF.