A newborn Irrawaddy dolphin calf has been spotted at the Kampi dolphin pool in Kratie province, bringing the total number of Mekong dolphins in Cambodia to 118.
The calf was discovered on April 27, at the pool, in Sambok commune, Chitr Borei district, and marks the sixth dolphin birth recorded so far this year.
The sighting was first made in the afternoon by a media team from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and later verified by researchers from the Fisheries Administration, Kratie Fisheries Cantonment and World Wide Fund for Nature.
According to the research team, the calf is approximately three days old, in good health, and was observed swimming alongside a pod of six adults.
Data tracking dolphin births and deaths from 2021 to April 2026 shows a significant improvement in conservation outcomes. Over the past 16 months, no dolphin deaths have been recorded, a stark contrast to previous years.
In 2021, six calves were born but nine dolphins died, leaving a total population of 101. In 2022, six calves were born but 11 died, reducing the population to 96. However, numbers began to recover in 2023, with eight births and five deaths bringing the total to 99. In 2024, nine calves were born and four died, increasing the population to 104.
By 2025, eight new calves were recorded with zero deaths, raising the total to 112.
The six calves sighted during the first four months of 2026 the year have pushed the Kingdom’s dolphin population to 118. This extended period without deaths has become a strong source of hope for the long-term conservation of Mekong dolphins in Cambodia.
The agriculture ministry expressed its gratitude to river guards, local authorities and communities for their active role in protecting what it described as “a valuable aquatic resource”. It emphasised that continued collaboration between government institutions, partner organisations and local communities is key to sustaining the dolphin population’s recovery.
At the same time, the ministry called on fishermen and the public to continue supporting conservation efforts by protecting river habitats and following guidelines set by river guards to ensure the safety of newborn calves.
“Public participation is the lifeline of Mekong dolphins,” it said.
Authorities also urged anyone who encounters dolphins — especially calves — to promptly report sightings to fisheries officials to support ongoing conservation efforts and help ensure the species’ survival for future generations.
