A Mekong River conservation area head ranger told The Post on Tuesday that a fifth Irrawaddy dolphin has been found dead due to illegal fishing.

The adult male, weighing around 104kg and 1.98m long, was discovered floating on its back by river wardens on Sunday in Kakot village, in Kratie province's Chitr Borei district.

Mok Punlok, the head warden at the Anlong Kampi Irrawaddy dolphin conservation area, told The Post that illegal fishing still occurred in Mekong River protected zones despite increased prevention measures and crackdowns, as well as greater public awareness from specialists and local authorities.

He said his team found the dolphin dead with its flipper entangled in fishing nets in Sambok commune's Kakot village on Sunday.

“We are sorry to announce that an adult male Irrawaddy dolphin has been found dead. This is the fifth dolphin found dead this year from January until Tuesday,” he said.