Cambodia runs to save Mekong dolphins

Cambodia staged a striking show of unity this weekend as around 1,000 people took part in the “Run for the Mekong River Dolphins” in Stung Treng province. The five‑kilometre race was more than a sporting event: it was a rallying cry to protect one of the country’s most endangered species.

Tourism Minister Huot Hak told participants that the dolphins’ habitat is not only a sanctuary but also a vital ecotourism zone. Visitors can take boat trips to see the animals, explore flooded forests and support community‑based tourism. The message was clear: protecting nature and boosting livelihoods can go hand in hand.

The Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin has been listed as critically endangered since 2004. Officials estimate just 117 remain along a 120‑kilometre stretch of river between Kratie and Stung Treng. Decades of war nearly wiped them out, with dolphins shot, bombed or hunted for their fat. Only after peace returned in 1998 did Cambodia introduce patrols, ban destructive fishing gear and create protected zones.

Those measures have delivered rare success. In 2025, eight calves were born without a single death, the best year in more than two decades. “Peace is a fundamental foundation for dolphin conservation in Cambodia,” said Im Rachna from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, stressing that regional stability is essential to turn the Mekong into a true biodiversity sanctuary.

The race coincided with a visit by officials and researchers from six Mekong‑Lancang nations, who toured Kratie to study Cambodia’s conservation efforts. Their presence underscored growing regional cooperation, as countries seek to balance economic growth with environmental preservation along the shared waterway.

Yet biologists warn the dolphins remain at risk. Upstream dam construction and pollution continue to threaten their fragile habitat. Local authorities are now expanding eco‑tourism projects in Kratie to fund research and strengthen community monitoring.

For Cambodia, the dolphins are more than a symbol of natural heritage. They are proof that recovery is possible when peace, protection and public support come together. Sunday’s run was a reminder that saving the Mekong’s dolphins is not just about wildlife—it is about safeguarding the river, the communities who depend on it, and the hope that rare species can still survive.

-2026-08-10