Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Conservationists ring in 2022 with baby dolphin

Conservationists ring in 2022 with baby dolphin

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
A newborn Irrawaddy dolphin aged about two weeks was found swimming with a pod of five adults at Kampi Dolphin Pool on the Mekong River in central Kratie province’s Kampi village on December 31.​ WWF-CAMBODIA

Conservationists ring in 2022 with baby dolphin

A newborn Irrawaddy dolphin aged about two weeks was found swimming with a pod of five adults at Kampi Dolphin Pool on the Mekong River in central Kratie province’s Kampi village on December 31.

The calf was spotted by the joint team of personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Fisheries Administration (FiA), the Kratie and Stung Treng FiA cantonments, and wildlife conservation NGO World Wide Fund for Nature-Cambodia (WWF).

WWF said in a statement on January 6: “The year 2021 has ended with joyful news especially for the freshwater Irrawaddy dolphin population and the Mekong River ecosystem as a new dolphin calf – the sixth calf for 2021 – was spotted on 31st December swimming at the Kampi pool in Kratie province.”

Kampi pool is located in Chitr Borei district’s northernmost commune of Sambok, and is reportedly the largest dolphin pool on the Mekong.

According to the NGO, dolphin births logged in 2021 dropped by three, from the nine recorded in 2020.

“The latest population census of this globally important freshwater mammal species estimated just 89 individuals still swim in the Mekong River.

“Stronger and more collective actions are needed to protect them from going extinct in the River. Furthermore, saving our free-flowing Mekong is critical now before it's too late,” WWF said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not