Conservation Zones To Help Mekong River Protect and Save Endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins in Cambodia

Due to the threats to endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins in Cambodia, authorities said they would provide conservation zones, protecting and saving the dolphins.

Law enforcement would help the conservation and protection of the Irrawaddy Dolphins from potential threats, including illegal fishing.

Recently, many raised concerns over the deaths of healthy Irrawaddy Dolphins in Cambodia due to fishing net entanglement.

The declining population could lead to extinction without urgent policies and actions.

Declining population

(Photo : by Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images)
A statue of Irrawaddy river dolphin

Recently, the Associated Press and a report from Nature World News explained that the Irrawaddy Dolphins were in an alarming situation due to recently reported deaths.

They can be found in Cambodia's freshwater, including Mekong, Borneo and Myanmar.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the said dolphins are endangered because of the declining population.

The report said there were 89 Irrawaddy dolphins in 2020, with 29 deaths recorded over the past three years.

The steady decline is a serious concern that could affect the said dolphin population.

The protection and urgent conservation of endangered species are essential to save them from more threats and extinction.

Meanwhile, the alarming deaths of dolphins were due to entanglement, illegal fishing and habitat loss.

The said challenges could put endangered dolphins at risk.

Conservation zones

According to a recent report, Cambodia's premier, Hun Sen, said conservation zones in the Mekong River would protect the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.

The Cambodia official urged to protect dolphins completely, which has helped communities in the area with tourism.

Also Read: Their species can be found in Cambodia's freshwater, including Mekong, Borneo and Myanmar

A floating marker will be placed in the conservation and protected zone, where fishing will be banned.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) explained that dolphin tourism in the Lao and Khmer helped communities for jobs.

All about Irrawaddy dolphins

The critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) thrive in rivers, lakes, coasts or estuaries and can be seen in South and Southeast Asia.

According to the WWF, the Irrawaddy dolphins could weigh up to 440 pounds.

Meanwhile, IUCN explained that the Irrawaddy dolphin population suffers from habitat loss and degradation due to the construction of dams.

As mentioned, Gillnetting has been banned in Cambodia, which patrol guards confiscate.

IUCN also added that river guard programs protected the Mekong River from illegal fishing.

The report explained that the guard's priority is to confiscate fishing gillnets.

The report said that the guards in the river managed to remove about 99,125 meters of illegal gillnet from 2015 to 2020. In the same years, the river guards 48 apprehended people who used unlawful fishing gear.

With low population growth, the population of the said dolphins is closely monitored due to few people.

The conservation cooperation of communities and the government has been vital to protecting Irrawaddy dolphins.

Urgent policies and law enforcement have helped prevent the use of illegal fishing in the conserved areas.

Related Article: Male Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins Help Each Other Find Potential Females and Mates, New Study Reveals

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