Irrawaddy dolphins exist in small isolated populations in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia. The freshwater sub-populations exist in three rivers: the Ayeyarwady (formerly Irrawaddy) in Myanmar, the Mahakam in Indonesian Borneo and the Mekong. In the Mahakam River they may number as few as 34 animals. The Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphins inhabit a 190 km stretch of the river between Cambodia and Lao PDR and are scarce – between 78 and 91 individuals are estimated to still exist.
There are usually no more than 10 animals to a group, and solitary individuals are rarely seen.
In the Philippines, the few Irrawaddy dolphins of Malampaya Sound (Palawan) appear to be geographically isolated from other sub-populations, which could earn that population the status of Critically Endangered. There, the dolphin population is in immediate danger of local extinction due to low numbers, limited range and high mortality.
Freshwater sub-populations occur in isolated brackish (saltwater and freshwater) water bodies, such as Chilka Lake in India and Songkhla Lake in Thailand.
Population numbers
- Malampaya Sound, Philippines: 77
- Mekong River: 78-91
- Mahakam River, Indonesia: 87
- Ayeyarwady River, Myanmar: 58-72
- Coastal waters of Bangladesh: 5,383
- Sundarbans mangrove forest of Bangladesh: 451
Electro-fishing
Electro-fishing is a new and illegal technique in which rogue fishermen send an electric current through the water to stun fish, making them easier to scoop up in bunches. This new tactic is not only depleting the fish stocks that feed the already endangered Irrawaddy dolphins but has inadvertently killed some of them. Although these dolphins traditionally helped fishermen by rounding up fish for their catch, some of the dolphins are now wary of these practices on the river.
Jackie Chan’s plea
