On December 29, Myanmar media reported that local residents discovered two Irrawaddy dolphins in the Ayeyarwady River, located in the central region of the country.
Irrawaddy freshwater dolphin. (Photo credit: AFP/TTXVN).
The two calves were spotted by two fishermen while they were fishing in the Ayeyarwady River, between the city of Mandalay and the town of Kyaukmyaung. One of the dolphins measured approximately 45 cm in length, while the other two were about 91 cm long.
Myanmar officials reported that the annual birth rate of dolphins in the country ranges from 3 to 10 individuals. The area between Mandalay and Kyaukmyaung, where these three calves were found, is one of two main dolphin sanctuaries in Myanmar.
In Myanmar, Irrawaddy dolphins are not only found in the Ayeyarwady River but also in coastal areas such as the town of Bogale, Rakhine, and Tanintharyi. It is estimated that there are currently about 300-400 Irrawaddy dolphins in Myanmar.
The Irrawaddy dolphin is classified as a critically endangered species and has been listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of threatened species since 2004.
