A female Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin calf was found dead in Peam village, Roka Kong 1 commune, Muk Kampoul district, Kandal province on Aug. 9, a tragic loss for the endangered species.
According to the Fisheries Administration’s press release, the 1.01-metre-long dead dolphin calf is about two months old and weighs 14.4 kilogrammes.
The dolphin is likely to have moved along with its mother or other dolphins from the Upper Mekong River in Kratie and Stung Treng provinces to Kandal province and been entangled in gillnet, the press release explained.
The Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) are fully protected under Cambodia’s Fisheries Law. The population is ranked as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, the highest international threat ranking for endangered species.
The Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins are a living natural treasure of Cambodia with about 90 individuals currently living along the Mekong River in Kratie and Stung Treng provinces.
Since early 2023, the Fisheries Administration registered five newborn dolphins, but three dead dolphins.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse