Conservationists rejoiced on June 15 as a newborn Irrawaddy dolphin was spotted in Kratie's protected waters.

The joint team from the Kratie Fisheries Administration and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) spotted the youngster, their vigilant eyes focused on the Anlong Kampi Dolphin Conservation Area.

The afternoon sighting in Kampi village, part of Sambok commune in Kratie’s Chitr Borei district, provided a thrilling spectacle. A river guard had the privilege of witnessing the calf's first observed moments, his camera capturing images that underscore the vital conservation work undertaken here.

Approximations place the calf at about five days old. Accompanied by five adults, the young dolphin's voyage through the conservation area's waters marked a significant moment in the ongoing struggle to protect this endangered species.

Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries praised the diligent work of the guards in the conservation areas as commendable and critical in the protection of these endangered dolphins.

This sighting is the fourth this year, following a consistent pattern of growth in the local dolphin population. Previous years recorded six new calves annually in 2021 and 2022, and this year's tally indicates a positive trajectory.

In the face of grave endangerment, each newborn offers a glimmer of hope for the future of the Irrawaddy dolphin. Conservationists remain steadfast in their mission, their eyes ever watchful for more signs of success in the waters of Kratie.