AKP Phnom Penh, March 12, 2025 -- 

A newborn Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin, estimated to be about two days old, was spotted in the Mekong River in Kratie province on Tuesday, at around 10:00 AM.

The dolphin calf was photographed by a research team from the Fisheries Administration and WWF-Cambodia at Kampi pool, located in Kampi village, Sambok commune, Chetr Borei district, said the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in a press release AKP received this morning.

Through the research team's examination, the calf was born to a mother dolphin with code 123 and was in a group of three other adult dolphins, the source added.

This marks the fifth newborn dolphin recorded in Cambodia’s Mekong River since the beginning of 2025, signaling hope for the conservation of this critically endangered species.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries expressed gratitude to local river guards, authorities, and community members for their ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Cambodia’s precious aquatic resources.

As of early 2025, there are at least 105 Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins in Cambodia.

Last year, the Kingdom registered nine newborns, the highest number in the past four year. In 2023, eight dolphin calves were born, up from six each in 2022 and 2021.

The Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) are a living natural treasure of Cambodia and are fully protected under the Kingdom’s Fisheries Law. The population is ranked as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, the highest international threat ranking for endangered species.

According to WWF-Cambodia, the presence of the dolphins in the Mekong is an indication of healthy fisheries and healthy rivers, including biodiversity and natural ecosystems that provide life-support services for people.

By Phal Sophanith