Posted on October, 04 2017

Phnom Penh – 4 October 2017 – On World Animal Day, WWF-Cambodia welcomes the birth of one more Irrawaddy dolphin calf in the Mekong Flooded Forest Landscape (MFF) in Kratie Province – giving hope for the survival of this critically endangered species. The calf was spotted on 29^th September by tourist boat operator Mr. Ket, who immediately reported the discovery to the tourist police in Prek Kreing village, Wattanak commune, Sambo district. 
 
WWF Freshwater project assistant Tan Bunwath visited the location to take detailed photos confirming the new born Irrawaddy dolphin, which is believed to be two or three days old.
 
It is an encouraging sign of further stabilisation of the Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin population and a reversal of the trend of population decline seen in recent years. During the period from January to October 2017, two dolphins died, but this is already the ninth dolphin to be born. It is a high achievement compared to the same period in 2016, in which four were born and the same amount died.
 
WWF-Cambodia’s Country Director Seng Teak reflects on the good news: “I am so glad to hear about the successful recruitment of yet another dolphin into the population. As I will continue to say, without our dedicated river guards, tireless field work, strong cooperation with the Fishery Administration and local authorities, we would not be able to welcome this new-born.”
 
The biggest threats to the Mekong dolphins and especially their calves are illegal fishing practices and newly proposed hydropower dams on the Mekong mainstream. Irrawaddy dolphins are a Cambodian national treasure and a critically endangered species on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) red list – and there are only 80 adults estimated to be left in the Mekong river.
 
WWF-Cambodia has been actively engaged in the Cambodian Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation Project since 2007 with the aim to reduce mortalities and increase the population through effective law enforcement, community outreach, livelihoods development and research.
 
On October 27^th 2017, WWF-Cambodia will organise its annual Dolphin Day in Kratie town to celebrate their existence and raise awareness on this critically endangered species. Hoping to gather audiences from all across the spectrum, it is estimated to be our largest and most successful Dolphin Day celebration yet.
 

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For more information:
 
Photos of new dolphin calves available here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4vhf2fnyk4ynthr/AABIGCciGgVgT393r4OiMJmPa?dl=0
 
Mr. Un Chakrey, Communications and Marketing Manager of WWF-Cambodia
Tel: +855 (0)17 234  555
Email: un.chakrey@wwfgreatermekong.org
 

About WWF-Cambodia
 
WWF was established in Cambodia in 1995 as a part of the WWF Greater Mekong Programme. WWF’s mission in Cambodia is to ensure that there will be strong participation and support from all people to conserve the country’s rich biological diversity. Through the encouragement of sustainable use of natural resources, WWF-Cambodia promotes new opportunities for the benefit of all people, enhancing local livelihoods and contributing to poverty reduction in the Kingdom of Cambodia. Go to cambodia.panda.org for more information.