Cambodia Records Fourth Baby Irrawaddy Dolphin This Year

One of the few Irrawaddy dolphins living in the freshwater waters of the Mekong River in the region of Kratie, Cambodia on December 20 2024. Un des rares dauphin de l’Irrawaddy vivant dans les eaux douces du Mekong dans la region de Kratie au Cambodge le 20 decembre 2024.

STUNG TRENG, March 23, 2026 — A newborn Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin has been sighted in northeastern Cambodia, bringing the total number of dolphin calves recorded this year to four, authorities said.

The calf was spotted on Saturday in the Koh Santuk dolphin pool in Siem Bouk district, Stung Treng province, by a joint research team from the Fisheries Administration and the World Wide Fund for Nature.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said three of the four calves recorded in 2026 were found in Kratie province, while the latest was identified in Stung Treng.

Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong are classified as critically endangered, and each new birth is seen as a positive sign for conservation efforts aimed at protecting the shrinking population.

Authorities and conservation groups have stepped up measures in recent years to safeguard dolphin habitats, including restrictions on fishing activities and increased monitoring along key river stretches.

The Mekong River population of Irrawaddy dolphins is one of the last remaining in the world, making Cambodia a crucial stronghold for the species’ survival.