How Many Irrawaddy Dolphins Inhabit Ayeyarwady River?

To count them, a tretch between between Mandalay and Bhamaw in Kachin State was examined. Back in 2005, this stretch was designated a dolphin conservation zone and community-based tourism is being promoted in the area with the focus on wildlife preservation.

Last year 76 dolphins were found in the same locations and it was also the year with the highest number of dolphins' deaths with 6 dolphins dyed and only two newborns appeared. This time, 24 dolphins were spotted between Mandalay and Kyauk Myaung village, 34 – between Malei village and Shwegu township, 14 dolphins near Bhamaw township. To help dolphines survive, WCS Myanmar continuously educated people on how to protect these rare animals and help them co-exist peacefully with the humans.

Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) inhabit estuaries and rivers in Southeast Asia and some parts of Bay of Bengal. These dolphins are a specis of ocean dolphins and are close relatives of the orca. Electrofishing and dam building as well as noise pollution from high speed vessels are some of the most serious threats for Irrawaddy dolphins in Myanmar. Tourism puts one more challenge for existence of Irrawaddy dolphins in Maynmar as large tourist boats ply the waters of the dolphins' habitat.

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