New research to save Irrawaddy dolphins

PHNOM PENH, April 30 (Xinhua) — Cambodia is conducting a new research with foreign experts on conservation of the Irrawaddy dolphin in the Mekong River, both in Cambodia and the trans- boundary dolphin population shared with Laos, the World Wildlife Fund said in a statement released Monday.
The research, scheduled for late April until the end of May, is conducted by the Commission for Dolphin Conservation and Development of Mekong River Dolphin Ecotourism Zone, the Fisheries Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and WWF.
Carried out in collaboration with experts from US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the researchers will remotely collect tissue samples from three free- swimming dolphins in the Mekong.
When conducted carefully by experienced researchers, biopsy sampling can be done safely and effectively, and is considered a standard dolphin research technique worldwide.
“We will dart the dolphins at about 15 meters distance using specially prepared biopsy darts. The darts are designed to protect the animals and cannot pierce beyond their thick blubber layer. Only a tiny amount of tissue is collected, but it is enough to provide a wealth of important information,” said Dr. Robert Pitman, research team leader with NOAA.
The collection of biopsy samples from the Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin sub-population is very important to address questions regarding sex and reproductive state, population and social structure, and contaminant levels.
“The information we obtain from this research is very valuable and will provide us with a better understanding about this iconic animal in order to determine proper conservation measures to conserve the remaining population from going extinct, and increase its number,” said Touch Seang Tana, chairman of the Commission for Dolphin Conservation and Development of Mekong River Dolphin Ecotourism Zone.
The population of Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong is ranked as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, CITES Appendix 1, the highest international forms of threat ranking for endangered species, and is listed in Cambodia’s sub decree on identification of Endangered Fisheries Resources.
The latest population estimate by WWF suggests fewer than 100 adult individuals remain in the river, and that the survival rate of dolphin calves is very low. There is evidence to suggest this population is in danger of extinction.
Nao Thuok, director general of Fisheries Administration said the results of the research will provide valuable information to assist the Fisheries Administration to develop appropriate management responses to conserve this valuable species.
Entanglement in gill nets is recognized as the leading cause of death in adult dolphins.
Gill net fishing will be banned within core dolphin habitat zones by the Cambodian government’s new sub decree, due to take effect shortly. The cause of high levels of calf mortality however, remains unclear, and it is hoped that this biopsy survey work will help provide clues.
“We believe that conservation actions implemented by the Dolphin Commission, Fisheries Administration and WWF will provide a clearer understanding of the population and causes of calf mortality,” said Seng Teak, director of WWF-Cambodia.