Posted on December, 17 2007

Listed as ‘critically endangered’ in Appendix I of CITES, the dolphins are threatened by the loss of ecosystem in the Mekong basin. WWF and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources then initiated the project entitled “Conserving Endangered Dolphins in the Inner Gulf of Thailand” which was financially supported by Gulf Electric PLC.

The project is set for 3 years during October 2006 – October 2009. A major goal is to build a research database on the dolphins in the basin of five rivers, namely, Bang Pa Kong, Tha Chin, Mae Klong, Petchaburi and Chao Phraya. The project will also campaign for the awareness of dolphin conservation among local communities living near the basin.

Irawaddi dolphins are also endangered in Cambodia as the local fishermen hunt them for sale. The United Nations recently launched a project there, entitled “The Mekong River Discovery Trail Project” by encouraging the local fishermen to protect the friendly creatures and earn income from tourism instead. The Cambodian government responded to the call positively and welcomed the private sector’s idea to build up resorts and hotels for foreign tourists who will come for the dolphin watch.


For More information:
Napaporn Yuberk,
Marketing and Communication Unit,
WWF Thailand
Tel. 02-524-6128-9 ext. 114
Email: communication.th@wwfgreatermekong.org