Cambodia registered another newborn dolphin calf, bringing the total newborns this year to eight, pointed out the Fisheries Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in a news release on Wednesday.
The newborn dolphin was spotted swimming with two adult dolphins at 09:10 am on May 1 at Kampi pool in Kampi village, Sambok commune, Chetr Borei district, Kratie province by a research team of the Fisheries Administration and WWF-Cambodia, the source said.
Last year, eight dolphin calves were counted, up from six each in 2022 and 2021.
The Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) are a living natural treasure of Cambodia and are fully protected under the Kingdom’s Fisheries Law. The population is ranked as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, the highest international threat ranking for endangered species.
According to WWF-Cambodia, the presence of the dolphin in the Mekong is an indication of healthy fisheries and healthy rivers, including biodiversity and n
atural ecosystems that provide life-support services for people.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse