Rare Mekong River Irrawaddy Dolphins Are Nearly Extinct, But There Is Hope
The small freshwater Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphins are noted for their uniquely shaped round heads and short dorsal fins. They are like no other dolphin on Earth, and could soon be extinct. In fact, only about 89 of these animals remain alive, living in an 118-mile stretch of the Mekong River between Cambodia and Laos.
Though their entire species is contained in a single pinpoint on a map of the world, these dolphins are still facing threats from human activity.
Irrawaddy dolphins are found in the Mekong River between Laos and Cambodia.
According to the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, Irrawaddy dolphins are most commonly threatened by gill nets, development of upstream dams, overfishing, and illegal fishing practices.
The IUCN also maintains that gill net entanglement is the main cause of adult mortality, but polluted waters have caused far more insidious problems for the dolphins.
