Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins on the Kratie River (Cambodia). The Sacred Irrawaddy Dolphins Need to be Saved Urgently Endangered Species Animal Irrawaddy Dolphins
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, a sad history of its country. Nevertheless, today it is a tourist center, 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 the home of freshwater dolphins. The city itself is located in the northeast of the country, on the Mekong River, the largest waterway of the Hindustan Peninsula, thanks to which all agriculture in the country is maintained. 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-moving river fish, usually injured or unhealthy individuals, thus controlling the populations of the Mekong river world.
"Communication" in the flock occurs, like other relatives of the Irrawaddy - with the help of clicks, creaks, crackles. Fish in troubled water is in the same way - with the help of high-frequency vibrations released by dolphins, according to the principle of the 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 of the country, 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 from different directions from Kampong Cham (Another spelling is ) (direction to the south) or Stung Traeng (direction to the 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 form of public transport), but it is not safe, more expensive than by bus, and slower, but you will get to know local Khmers who speak good English. 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 through 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 "face" to the rising sun; Vihear Cork has a direction towards the south (only the foundation remained from the temple).
Traditionally, the 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- this is a vacation for tourists in the most beautiful view of 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.
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 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.
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 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 a ban or restriction on the use of fixed nets by fishermen.
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.
Little-studied animals: IRRAWADY DOLPHIN.
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 willingly 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.
The number of Irrawaddy 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. Irrawaddy dolphins got their name from the Irrawaddy River in Burma, where individuals of the river subspecies live.
To count dolphins in 2007-2010, WWF used 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 Irrawaddy dolphin is the only species in the orcella genus. 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.
The animal lives in both sea 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.
Recall that a few years ago, scientists from Australia identified a separate species of dolphin - Australian beakless (Latin name - Orcaella heinsohni). This species lives off the northern coast of the continent. Previously, the Australian beakless dolphins were attributed to the Irrawaddy dolphins, which were the only ones in the Orcellus genus (Orcaella). According to preliminary data, about 200 representatives of this endemic species are found in shallow water near the city of Toshville.
Dolphins are truly amazing animals that have nothing less than their own culture. Many of us know that the sounds made by dolphins are not just sounds: the animals actually have their own language. Moreover, scientists have found that each dolphin in the flock has its own name, to which it responds when other dolphins call it. They are quite supportive of people, and the only thing that stands in the way of full communication between dolphins and us is the language barrier.
However, it has now become clear that in the near future a person will be able to talk with dolphins using an electronic translator developed by scientists from the United States. According to the plans of scientists, the device will process the sounds of the dolphin language and then generate words in it.
A fairly large population of Irrawaddy dolphins was seen 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.
The population of endangered Irrawaddy dolphins was accidentally stumbled upon by employees of the Vietnam Institute of Tropical Biology 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. While exploring the territory, these amazing creatures raise their heads 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, with only a few cubs reaching reproductive age," said WWF representatives for 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 (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.