Ayeyarwaddy dolphins in the Mekong River has decreased to 85 individuals. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the population is at high risk of complete extinction.

The fact that these marine mammals, considered sacred in Cambodia and Laos, are closer than ever to extinction is evidenced by their extremely small number and extremely low survival rate of cubs. Old dolphins are dying and there is no replacement as few young animals reach middle age.

To count dolphins in 2007-2010, WWF used a photography technology that identifies each animal by unique markings on its dorsal fin; this technique has previously been used to estimate the size of populations of whales, tigers, horses, leopards and other animals.

Irrawaddy dolphin- the only species in the genus Orcellus. These beakless dolphins reach 2.2 m in length, have a spherical head and moderately long pectoral fins. The general body color is slate grey. Orcella brevirostris inhabits coastal waters South-East Asia, from Madras to Bangkok, including the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand.

O. brevirostris lives in both marine and fresh water, and therefore it is often kept in dolphinariums. The river subspecies lives not only in the Mekong, but also in the Irrawaddy (Burma) and Mahakam (Indonesia) rivers. WWF has only studied the inhabitants of the Mekong, but biologists say that all three populations are on the verge of extinction.


Fishermen love the Irrawaddy dolphin because it helps them drive the fish into the net. However, it is the fishing nets that are the main source of danger for O. brevirostris: the animal gets entangled in them and dies. People living in dolphin habitats will suffer from the decline in the population of this species. Since these marine mammals are considered sacred, many locals and tourists are eager to admire them, thereby developing ecotourism. If dolphins disappear, the flow of "ecotourism" dollars will dry up, which will lead to a sharp drop in the standard of living of the local population.


According to biologists, it is possible to save dolphins in the Mekong only if the authorities of Cambodia and Laos join forces and take immediate action. For example, the Cambodian government should establish a clear legal framework for the conservation of O. brevirostris, including the creation of protected areas and a ban or restriction on the use of fixed nets by fishermen.

Enough large population Ayeyarwady dolphins have been spotted in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. 20 individuals at once - scientists have never observed such a large group of Irrawaddy. Biologists consider this a huge success, given that there are no more than two hundred of these animals left in nature.

Employees of the Vietnam Institute of Tropical Biology accidentally stumbled upon a population of endangered Irrawaddy dolphins during an expedition in the Kien Giang conservation area. The researchers called on the governments of all countries along which the Mekong flows to take all necessary measures to protect the endangered species.

Irrawaddy dolphins have some features that are unique to this species. Firstly, the jaws of these animals are not elongated, which deprives them of the beak-shaped protrusion on the muzzle familiar to dolphins. Secondly, Irrawaddy dolphins live in both sea and fresh water. Thirdly, the Irrawaddy are one of the few cetaceans whose neck can move in different directions. During the exploration of the area, these amazing creatures raise their head above the water and turn it in all directions to see everything that surrounds them. However, they appear very rarely above the water surface, so it is not so easy to see them in the wild. In all databases of zoologists, they appear as "a species for which there is not enough data."

Fishermen in Southeast Asia note that once the Irrawaddy dolphins were not uncommon. Flocks of these animals even cooperated with fishermen: they memorized the location of the nets and deliberately drove a school of fish right into it, knowing for sure that the trap would help stop it. In the 19th century, every fishing village had “its own” flock of beater dolphins.

But such cooperation with people played a cruel joke on the Irrawaddy. Baby dolphins, unlike adults, could not always stop in time, driving the fish into the net, and themselves fell into a deadly trap. According to studies of the mid-20th century, infant mortality in Irrawaddy dolphins reached 60%, and with the transition of fishermen to trawling, this figure increased to 80%. This, apparently, led to the extinction of the species.

In addition, the decline in the number of Irrawaddy dolphins was also affected by the deterioration of the environment in their habitats. Tissue samples from some dead animals have been found to contain high concentrations of mercury and other toxic substances. But poachers in this case should not be sinned. The fact is that the Irrawaddy dolphins in Southeast Asia are considered sacred animals, and one can pay with their lives for their purposeful extermination.

"The number of dolphins continues to decline further, only a few cubs reach breeding age," - representatives of the World Fund say. wildlife in the Mekong region. An effective way to protect these animals from complete extinction is to ban trawling in protected areas.

It remains to be hoped that the authorities of the countries through which the Mekong flows will heed the appeals of environmentalists and take care of the welfare of the remaining Irrawaddy dolphins.

The number of Ayeyarwaddy dolphins in the Mekong River has decreased to 85 individuals. According to the (WWF), the population is at high risk of complete extinction.

The fact that these marine mammals, considered sacred in Cambodia and Laos, are closer than ever to extinction is evidenced by their extremely small number and extremely low survival rate of cubs. Old dolphins die and there is no replacement as few young animals reach adulthood.

To count dolphins in 2007-2010, WWF used a photography technology that identifies each animal by unique markings on its dorsal fin; this technique has previously been used to estimate the size of populations of whales, tigers, horses, leopards and other animals.



The only species in the genus Orcellus. These beakless dolphins reach 2.2 m in length, have a spherical head and moderately long pectoral fins. The general body color is slate grey. Orcella brevirostris inhabits the coastal waters of Southeast Asia, from Madras to Bangkok, including the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand.

O. brevirostris lives in both marine and fresh water and is therefore often kept in dolphinariums. The river subspecies lives not only in the Mekong, but also in the Irrawaddy (Burma) and Mahakam (Indonesia) rivers. WWF has only studied the inhabitants of the Mekong, but biologists say that all three populations are on the verge of extinction.


Fishermen love the Irrawaddy dolphin because it helps them drive the fish into the net. However, it is the fishing nets that are the main source of danger for O. brevirostris: the animal gets entangled in them and dies. People living in dolphin habitats will suffer from the decline in the population of this species. Since these marine mammals are considered sacred, many locals and tourists are eager to admire them, thereby developing ecotourism. If dolphins disappear, the flow of "ecotourism" dollars will dry up, which will lead to a sharp drop in the standard of living of the local population.


According to biologists, it is possible to save dolphins in the Mekong only if the authorities of Cambodia and Laos join forces and take immediate action. For example, the Cambodian government should establish a clear legal framework for the conservation of O. brevirostris, including the creation of protected areas and the prohibition or restriction of the use of fixed nets by fishermen.

I invite all avid lovers of oriental culture to visit Cambodia and see one simply fabulous place - a quiet little town of Kratie. Cambodia is a country with a Buddhist and Hindu religion, on the one hand it has an interesting, but at the same time, sad story of their country. However, today it tourist centre, a place visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists per season.

Acquaintance with the inhabitants of the Mekong River.

Arriving in the capital of Cambodia, do not miss the opportunity to visit one of the picturesque provinces with the city of the same name - Kratie (Kratye), which is called home freshwater dolphins. The city itself is located in the northeast of the country, on the Mekong River - the largest water artery peninsula of Hindustan, thanks to which everything is held together Agriculture in the country. Here you can see quite large dolphins, outwardly similar to the beluga, but closer in family ties to killer whales.

Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins.

These dolphins are called Irrawaddy. They were discovered in the middle of the 19th century by the European naturalist Richard Owen. These mammals reach up to 2.5 meters in length. They have a rounded head, a non-protruding beak, a short triangular fin on the back, also somewhat rounded. Such an animal is not able to "rush" along the river at the speed of the wind. The Irrawaddy are slow dolphins. Although, according to eyewitnesses, in case of danger, dolphins can reach speeds of up to 25 km / h.


Dolphins feed on slow-swimming river fish, usually injured or unhealthy individuals, thus controlling populations river world the Mekong river.
"Communication" in the flock occurs, like other relatives of the Irrawaddy - with the help of clicks, creaks, crackles. fish in muddy water is located in the same way - with the help of high-frequency vibrations released by dolphins, according to the principle of operation of a sound locator. Food is absorbed by suction, and jets of water are released through the water outlet.

Dolphins in Kratje.

Due to the pollution of the Mekong River, the Irrawaddy dolphins are on the verge of extinction. Infections in the river, which have arisen due to stagnation or poor flow of water, have practically destroyed the population of these dolphins, which, by their nature, are not very prolific. Today, the river is present in total, according to various estimates, from 40 to 60 individuals in the entire river. But still, tourists can see them in the region of the province and near the city of Kratie (Kratye).

How to get to Kratie (Kratieh).

How to get to the province? You can get to the city from different parts countries, since the province itself, where the city is located, has a fairly developed infrastructure. Therefore, three types of transport can be provided to the attention of a tourist: a car, a bus. The town can also be reached by bus from Laos.
You can come to the city with different directions from Kampong Cham (Alternate spelling - ) (heading south) or Stung Traeng (heading north). These are good transport arteries, along which buses run from local bus stations. You can try to get there by hitchhiking trucks. From Stungtraeng, the journey will take about 3 hours. You can try to get from Siem Reap, from there you can leave by morning bus at 7.30 in the morning, and the ticket will cost about $ 10.

For lovers of extreme sports, you can try to get there by trucks (local view public transport), but it is not safe, more expensive than by bus, and slower, but you will get to know local Khmers who speak well English language. From Kampong Cham, the ticket price is 10,000 riels in the back, 15,000 riels in the cabin, at a time of 8 hours; Stingtraenga - 25-30,000 riels, 8-9 hours; Ratanakiri (cities) 12 hours drive, $12.
Traveling this small town, you can walk and see local temples and other attractions. Or take a tuk-tuk for 500 riel. Alternatively, you can rent a motorcycle for $6.

Sights of the province of Cratje.

Now about what you can see besides dolphins and where you can relax.
Phnom Sam Bok is a natural tourist complex, with rare and beautiful plants and birds. This attraction is located just 11 km from the city in the commune of Tmor Kre. If you climb the mountain, then from two high points you can admire the valley of the Mekong River. There is also a clean pond with beautiful flora that will impress even the most unemotional tourist.
Hundred Column Pagoda- the attraction is located 36 km from the city. Here are four Buddhist temples directed to the four cardinal points:
1 — Vihear Lao- Buddhist shrine facing west - Vihear Sa Sar"looks" to the north; — Vihera Cork Keut turned to face rising sun; Vihear Cork has a direction towards the south (only the foundation remained from the temple).
Traditionally locals hold their four-day festival, starting on the first day at the northern temple, and ending at sunset at Vihear Lao, the western temple.
2. Resort Campli is a holiday for tourists the most beautiful view on the Mekong River, this is where these dolphins live. Attractive place with green islands, characterized by tranquility.
There are local restaurants or cafes, a calm resort atmosphere with swimming in the river. The resort operates from January to May.

Specialists from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are concerned about the rapid decline in the population of Irrawaddy dolphins living in the Mekong River. According to the latest estimates of scientists, which was carried out using photographic technology, the number of these unique mammals has decreased to critical levels: today no more than 85 individuals of this species of dolphins live in the wild, WWF notes.

These marine mammals are sacred animals in Laos and Cambodia. However, despite the respect and protection of the Irrawaddy dolphins in these Asian countries, their numbers are rapidly declining. Experts explain this by the fact that old individuals die, and young ones do not live to adulthood. Thus, there is simply no one to continue the race ...

The Irrawaddy dolphin (lat. Orcaella brevirostris) is an aquatic mammal from the genus Orcaella of the dolphin family. Having a flexible neck, Irrawaddy dolphins are unique in that, unlike other species of the dolphin family, they lack a beak. The dorsal fin of Orcaella brevirostris also differs from the fins of other dolphin species: it small size and is closer to the tail. The color of this species of dolphin is bluish-gray, lighter in the lower part of the body. The length of an adult individual of the Irrawaddy dolphin can reach about 2.5 meters, and weight - 150 kg. A newborn baby Irrawaddy dolphin weighs 12 kg and has a length of no more than 1 meter. Irrawaddy dolphins live in small flocks: from 2 to 10 individuals. A dolphin of the species Orcaella brevirostris is found in coastal sea ​​waters Southeast Asia, as well as in the fresh waters of such rivers as the Mekong (Laos and Cambodia), Mahakam (Indonesia) and the Ayeyarwaddy (Burma).

The Irrawaddy dolphin is very friendly to humans. Individuals of this dolphin often accompany fishing boats, helping to drive schools of fish into the nets of local fishermen. However, it is precisely such fishing nets that often kill dolphins: mammals get entangled in them and die.

WWF experts note that the decline in the number of Orcaella brevirostris will cause serious damage to people living near the habitats of the Irrawaddy dolphin. Every year a large number of tourists come to admire these sacred marine mammals. And in the event of a reduction in their number, the flow of eco-tourists will noticeably decrease, jeopardizing the incomes of many local residents focused on working in ecotourism.

Biologists hope that the governments of Laos and Cambodia will take effective measures to stop the decline in the number of these unique inhabitants the Mekong river. Creation of protected natural areas, as well as a ban on the use of fishing nets in them, will help restore the population of Irrawaddy dolphins, experts from WWF believe.

But already in 2012, to the great joy of conservationists in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, biologists discovered 20 Irrawaddy dolphins. No one knows exactly how many of these rare aquatic mammals. According to the World Wildlife Fund as of August 2011, there were no more than 87 individuals there.

Unlike many other members of the dolphin family, the Irrawaddy dolphin ( Orcaella brevirostris) is in danger of extinction. Finding 20 animals in one place at once is an incomparable success when there are only a couple of hundred of these creatures in the whole world.

A population of Irrawaddy dolphins was discovered during an expedition in the Kien Giang conservation area, located in southern Vietnam, by employees of the Vietnam Institute of Tropical Biology. “The number of these dolphins was greater than previously seen in Malampaya Bay in the Philippines or anywhere else in the Mekong,” according to the Internet portal. PC Games, with reference to one of the expedition members.

In general, the Irrawaddy dolphin is a very interesting creature. For a long time it was believed that this is the only representative of the family that is absolutely devoid of even at least some semblance of a “beak” (I remind you that the protrusion on the muzzle formed by elongated jaws is called the beak in dolphins). In addition, these dolphins are one of the few cetaceans whose neck can move in different directions (in most representatives of this group, it is completely motionless).

Despite the fact that, apparently, the contacts of the Irrawaddy dolphins with humans began even when the latter had just begun to populate Southeast Asia, very little is known about them so far. In all databases of zoologists, they appear as "a species for which there is not enough data." These friendly and sociable animals are known to live in groups of three to six animals.

Interestingly, adults can move from one group to another (this is not typical for most dolphins; strangers in groups are wary). While exploring the territory, dolphins raise their heads out of the water and rotate to see everything that surrounds them. They swim quite slowly, and when breathing, they never stick their head out completely. That is why they are not so easy to see in the wild.

It is known that Irrawaddy dolphins can live in both sea and fresh water. However, some populations almost never go far into the sea, and the inhabitants of the Mekong belong precisely to such a "river" form. At the same time, the Irrawaddy dolphins living near the coast of Indonesia almost never enter the rivers. Based on these data, biologists divide the species into two subspecies - marine and freshwater.

The fishermen of Southeast Asia are very fond of the Irrawaddy dolphin because he helps them drive the fish into the net. Moreover, it has been noticed that these animals quickly remember the places where people put them, and begin to deliberately drive a school of fish right into the trap, knowing for sure that the net will help stop it. In the century before last, almost every fishing village in the Indonesian archipelago had its own “local” flock of dolphins, which always drove the fish directly to their nets. It's funny that sometimes the inhabitants of different villages even sued their neighbors if they managed to lure a flock to their fishing area (although, in fairness, it was necessary to sue the dolphins).

However, it was net fishing that eventually killed this numerous species. The fact is that the whole flock, including cubs and teenagers, took part in the corrals of fish in the net. They, unlike adults, could not always stop in time, so they often got entangled in nets and died. According to data for the middle of the twentieth century, infant mortality in many populations of the Irrawaddy dolphin reached 60 percent (which, apparently, led to a catastrophic decline in numbers). And the transition of the inhabitants of this region to trawling turned out to be a disaster for dolphins - the infant mortality rate in some places has risen to 80 percent!

Possibly, the pollution of sea and river water with runoff from fields containing fertilizers toxic to many animals, which increased precisely by the end of the last century, also played a fatal role. For example, in tissue samples from some dead animals, high concentrations of mercury were found, which probably comes from gold mines located upstream of the river. As for poaching, it apparently did not affect the decline in the number of this species, since in most countries of the region the Irrawaddy dolphin is considered a sacred animal and the locals do not touch it. (And careless tourists who decide to hunt them are at great risk - they can be drowned for this.)

So, since the main problem for the Irrawaddy dolphins has long been created by fishing and water pollution, the initiative International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN), they were listed in the Red Book as a species under threat of complete destruction. There are no more than 85 Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong, according to the latest report from the World Wildlife Fund. In total, there are about 200 individuals, although at the beginning of the century there were over five hundred. True, it is possible that the number of Irrawaddy dolphins by 2005 also fell due to the fault of ... zoologists!

Not so long ago, Australian scientists realized that the animal that lives off the coast of the Green Continent, previously considered the Irrawaddy dolphin, is not. In 2005, after conducting various studies, including molecular studies, it was established that the animals that make up the Australian populations, in fact, belong to a different species, which was named the Australian snub-nosed dolphin ( Orcaella heinsohni). At the same time, the external differences between these two types are minimal - Orcaella heinsohni differs from the Irrawaddy only in that its body coloration includes not two, but three colors.

However, as a result of this discovery, the population of the Irrawaddy dolphin immediately decreased by about 230 individuals (no one knows the exact number of Australian snub-nosed dolphins either). Now belonging to this species only those populations that live north of Indonesia are considered. Before the current discovery, it was believed that about 100 animals in total live near Indonesia, about 20 at the mouth of the Ayeyarwaddy River in Burma, and somewhere around 85-87 in the Mekong. Now the Mekong population has “increased” by 20 individuals. However, this still does not inspire biologists with much optimism.

“The number of dolphins continues to decline further, with only a few calves reaching reproductive age,” warns WWF Mekong Desk Officer Stefan Ziegler. The World Wildlife Fund has asked the government of Cambodia to provide a legal framework for the protection of endangered species. “Trawling should be prohibited in protected areas,” the biologist believes.

According to the World Wildlife Fund in Laos, despite the current animal protection legislation in this country, the number of Irrawaddy dolphins is also declining and currently there are no more than eight individuals. The largest population of these aquatic mammals is seen on the border between Cambodia and Laos. Now we can say with confidence that these dolphins also live in Vietnam (although until now it was believed that these animals disappeared there in the second half of the 20th century).

Let's hope that the governments of the countries through which the Mekong flows will take all measures to protect this friendly and useful dolphin from extinction. Indeed, otherwise, not only the ecosystems in which this cetacean lives will suffer, but also fishermen. There will be no one else to drive them fish directly into the net ... http://www.pravda.ru/science/planet/environment/16...2/1104367-irrawaddy_dolphin-1/

taken

They are named after the Irrawaddy River in Burma, which is indeed one of the last habitats of this rare dolphin. The Irrawaddy is not quite a freshwater dolphin, because it swims out into the sea, but not a sea dolphin, either. lives in river deltas.

The Irrawaddy dolphin is common in Southeast Asia, and primarily lives in the mouths of rivers with fresh water, near mangrove forests. In the Mahakam River (Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo), Irrawaddy dolphin populations are threatened by fishing, poaching and habitat degradation, and can only list 34 dolphins.

The Irrawaddy is very different from other dolphins and was even considered a cetacean for a long time, perhaps due to the fact that he can throw water out of his mouth with a jet. On the head of the dolphin is such a large growth that the beak is indistinguishable. The body length of an adult dolphin is slightly more than two meters, and the coloration, intense on the back, is almost white on the abdomen.

The way of life of Irrawaddy dolphins, it would seem, is very accessible for study: they live in the mouths of rivers and in the sea near the coasts, they sink under water for no more than two and a half minutes, and they are willing to make contact with a person.

However, little is known about the Irrawaddy dolphins - only that they usually stay in small groups of 5-6 dolphins and feed mainly on shrimp and fish. It is also known that the Irrawaddy is not a very good swimmer, at least he does not develop high speed. The Irrawaddy swims, spinning in the water, lifting its tail above the surface quite rarely, mainly when it needs to dive deeper.
Burmese fishermen get along very well with the Irrawaddy dolphins, and they willingly help them to fish. Dolphins drive fish into the nets, and for this they receive their share of the catch.