Saving Cambodia’s River Dolphins from Extinction: A Challenging Battle

The Mekong river is one of the largest rivers in the world, stretching through six countries in Southeast Asia. It’s home to a vibrant array of wildlife, including the elusive and endangered Irrawaddy river dolphin. In Cambodia, these graceful creatures are clinging to survival in their dwindling habitat as they face threats from climate change, illegal fishing practices, and dam construction. Despite the challenges, devoted conservationists are working tirelessly to save Cambodia’s river dolphins from extinction. In this article, we’ll explore the battle to protect these unique creatures and the efforts being made to secure their future.


The Mekong River in Cambodia is home to a rare and endangered species of dolphin, the Irrawaddy dolphin. However, despite conservation efforts, the population of these dolphins is dwindling due to fishing nets that trap them indiscriminately. The Cambodian government has announced tough new restrictions on fishing in the river to reduce the number of dolphins killed by these nets. However, enforcing the rules is a significant challenge, given the size and complexity of the river and issues faced by the dolphin guards, such as limited resources and intimidation by fishing gangs.

More than 70 guards patrol a 120km stretch of the Mekong from northeastern Kratie province to close to the Laos border. Gillnets – vertical mesh nets left in the water for long periods – trap fish indiscriminately and are the main cause of death for dolphins in the Mekong. Despite the efforts of these guards, the numbers are still falling. Patrolling at different times of day and night is challenging since the fishing gangs adapt accordingly. To catch the gangs, the guards would need more resources and personnel in the respective areas.

These dolphins, possessing unique gray heads that surface on the turbid waters of the Mekong River, are critically endangered. With an increasing number of illegal fishing and plastic waste, the habitats of these species are reducing. Adding to the concerns of the future of these dolphins, 70% of the population is now too old to breed, and their habitats have been reduced by upstream dams and climate changes that significantly impact the water levels in the river.

The new law initiated by the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s office, creating protection zones in which fishing is banned, has given these dolphins some respite from the gillnets. Violators face up to a year in jail for using gillnets and up to five years for electrofishing in these conservation areas. In one such zone, around the village of Kampi, 24 guards now patrol a 22-square-kilometre stretch of river 24 hours a day. Fishermen have been warned not to lay gillnets in these conservation zones; the authorities will arrest anyone who defies the order.

Many locals who make a living taking tourists to see the dolphins or selling related souvenirs are also worried about the future of the species. They are unaware that their income is dependent on the survival of these dolphins. These locals might have to look at alternative forms of income if the dolphins go extinct.

The population of these dolphins has decreased from 200 in 1997 to 89 in 2020. The numbers were critical, given that the Irrawaddy dolphins are only found in three rivers worldwide – the Mahakam river in Indonesia, the Ayeyarwady river in Myanmar and the Mekong river in Cambodia, and are critically endangered species. If the government of Cambodia fails to implement or monitor the restrictions, the last surviving members of the population may disappear forever.