10 Irrawaddy Dolphins Found Dead in the Mekong River (Cambodia) Over the Past Two Months
The WWF has raised alarms regarding the death of 10 Irrawaddy dolphins, heightening concerns for the survival of this species.
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Dolphins (Source: students.uni-marburg.de) |
According to Robert Mather, a senior conservation policy expert at WWF Greater Mekong, it is common for dolphins to die in high numbers during this time of year. However, the death of 10 dolphins within the last two months is particularly alarming and tragic, especially considering that eight of them were calves.
At least one of these dolphins died from entanglement in fishing nets, while the causes of death for the others remain undetermined.
The Irrawaddy dolphins residing in the river serve as vital indicators of water quality. The Global Conservation Organization estimates that there are approximately 80-100 Irrawaddy dolphins living in the Mekong River region, primarily concentrated in a 190-kilometer stretch between the Cambodia-Laos border and the town of Kratie (Cambodia).
