Conservationists Raise Concerns Over Deaths of Endangered Dolphins in Cambodia, Calling for Urgent Law Enforcement

Conservationists raised concerns over the death of three endangered dolphins in Cambodia, urging for law immediate law enforcement.

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

Law enforcement is important to protect animals, especially endangered dolphins. 

According to the NOAA, it is important to protect dolphins. People should treat them with respect and caution. 

In Cambodia, freshwater dolphin species are found in Mekong, Myanmar and Indonesian Borneo.

According to the Associated Press, the deaths of the Irrawaddy dolphin brought an alarming situation. Law enforcement is crucial to protect dolphins from the threat of illegal fishing activities or fishing net entanglement.

Recently, the Associated Press also reported that a female dolphin (around seven to 10 years old) died from fishing line entanglement.

• In February, the Irrawaddy dolphin was dead due to fish net entanglement.

Consistent boat patrols would help save and protect the dolphin from threats.

The report and the WWF Cambodia director Seng Teak emphasized that the dolphin conservation areas have increasing cases of illegal fishing, affecting the endangered animals.

Also Read: New Bottlenose Dolphin Smaller Subspecies Discovered in Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, Research Reveals 

Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Irrawaddy dolphin population has been put on red-listed as Endangered, especially in the Mekong and Mahakam.

Endangered Irrawaddy dolphin

The IUCN has identified two primary threats that the Irrawaddy dolphins have encountered. According to the report, it includes being entangled in fish nets or gillnets. Illegal fishing in the conserved areas could bring more risks to the said dolphins.

In addition, the main challenge for the patrol guards is confiscating illegal gillnetting that is already banned in Cambodia.

Furthermore, the report added that the endangered dolphins also suffered from habitat loss and declining quality of freshwater due to degradation and construction.

Irrawaddy dolphin protection

The endangered Irrawaddy dolphins have the scientific name Orcaella brevirostris.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, the said dolphins could weigh from 198 to 440 pounds and with a length of 5.9 to nine feet.

The Irrawaddy dolphins thrive in freshwater or coastal areas in Southeast Asia. The WWF report added that about 92 of the said animals exist.

Meanwhile, a recent Associated Press Report noted that the Irrawaddy dolphins were only 89 in 2020.

In Lao and Khmer tourism, the report explained that dolphin ecotourism had become an essential job source.

Furthermore, the WWF added that the endangered dolphins are crucial for the Mekong River's health. The protection and conservation of dolphins are significant, especially since their number is declining due to threats.

The alarming deaths of dolphins in 2020 have been concerning. Records reveal that there are reported 29 deaths of endangered dolphins in the past three years.

With a population of less than a hundred, the said dolphins could reach the point of extinction.

The government should develop policies that could strengthen the conservation of the Irrawaddy dolphins and prevent illegal fishing in their areas.

The protection of the remaining dolphins is important due to their declining number.

The cooperation of communities, environmentalists, conservationists, and the government is important for effective policy-making.

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

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