Cambodia launches 120-km relay swim to raise awareness on Irrawaddy dolphin protection

PHNOM PENH, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Conservationists on Monday embarked on a four-day 120-km relay swim down the Mekong River to raise awareness about the protection of the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in Cambodia, said a joint press release.

The Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River face a critical risk of extinction, remaining only in a 120-km range between Stung Treng and Kratie provinces in northeast Cambodia, the press release said.

While ongoing conservation efforts have helped stabilize their numbers, threats continue to endanger this freshwater dolphins' population, such as accidental entanglement in fishing gear, habitat degradation and illegal fishing practices, it added.

"Over four days, a team of swimmers will take turns navigating the Mekong's currents, accompanied by a safety team in kayaks and support boats," the press release said.

"The expedition will not only showcase the endurance and dedication of the participants but also serve as an opportunity to document dolphin sightings, identify threats and remove harmful litter and abandoned fishing nets from the river," it added.

Cambodian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina said the ministry fully supported this initiative, which would significantly contribute to preserving Mekong dolphins.

"As the results have shown these last three years, the Mekong dolphin population keeps on increasing," he said, adding, "This is undeniable evidence of our commitment and effective conservation program."

Funds raised from the event will directly support key dolphin conservation initiatives, including WWF-Cambodia's River Guard Program, which deploys dedicated river guards to monitor and protect the dolphins' core habitat.

Additionally, resources will be allocated to advancing research on bycatch mitigation and fostering stronger collaboration between marine and freshwater dolphin conservation programs in Cambodia.

"Protecting the Irrawaddy dolphin population requires a unified approach from conservationists, policymakers and local communities," Chap Vibol, country director of WWF-Cambodia, said.

"The Mekong Dolphin Swim is a testament to the power of collaboration and public engagement in conservation," he added.

The Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins have been listed since 2004 as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Red List of Threatened Species.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries estimated that currently, there are 109 Irrawaddy dolphins living along the main channel of the Mekong River in Stung Treng and Kratie provinces. ■