Cambodia Welcomes Sixth Rare Mekong Dolphin Calf in 2025

[geovalin]

WWF

 

 

Cambodia has recorded its sixth newborn Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin of the year, offering a rare glimpse of hope for one of the world’s most endangered freshwater species.

 

The calf, just four days old, was spotted on 4 April swimming closely alongside a pod of five adult dolphins at the Kampi dolphin pool in Kratie province’s Chetr Borei district. The sighting was confirmed by researchers from the Fisheries Administration and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

 

The Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin has been classified as critically endangered since 2004 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with only around 110 individuals estimated to remain. These dolphins inhabit a 120-kilometre stretch of the Mekong River across northeastern Cambodia, primarily in Stung Treng and Kratie provinces.

 

“This newborn dolphin was seen swimming alongside a pod of five adult dolphins,” the MAFF release noted, marking the sixth calf born so far in 2025. In 2024, nine calves were born, although four did not survive.

 

The new arrival is a small but significant boost for conservationists, who have been battling habitat loss, illegal fishing practices, and ecological degradation in the Mekong basin. The river dolphins are revered in Cambodian culture and play a key role in the country’s ecotourism sector, especially in provinces like Kratie, where sightings help support local livelihoods.

 

WWF and MAFF continue to work closely on conservation efforts, including river patrols, community education, and the removal of illegal gillnets—a leading cause of dolphin mortality.

 

Though the number remains fragile, each new calf signals a step forward in the fight to save a species teetering on the edge. For Cambodia, these rare births are more than a biological victory—they’re a symbol of national pride and a call to sustain the Mekong’s unique natural heritage.

 

-2025-05-24