My Geography 899

Mekong (Irrawaddy) Dolphins

	Annotated Bibliography
	Research Proposal
	Research Questions
	Research Topics

Introduction

The Irrawaddy dolphin in the Mekong River will become extinct not so long, if we don't have any measure to save them. Unsustainable fisheries mainly in northeastern Cambodia is the main threat of the dolphin. Explosive fishing is the most harmful activity. To solve the problem we need to understand clearly about the cause of the problem. Both sides of parallel knowledge, scientific and traditional knowledge, are needed for the conservation planning of the dolphins. Locals participation will be the important key for the conservation. 

Distribution

Deep pool areas are the significant habitat for the Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins. In Laos, the two main areas that the dolphins live are the Mekong River below the Khone fall and Sekong River, a tributary of the Mekong River. The deep pools in Laos are located at Ban Hang Khone and Ban Hang Sadam villages. Waterfalls in the Mekong River and its tributaries seem to be the natural barriers for the dolphins movement. 

In Cambodia, the largest concentration areas are in the Mekong River in Kratie and Strung Treng provinces. Five deep pools are identified as the important habitats of the dolphin. "Villagers identified five deep water pool areas in an approximately 200-km section of the Mekong River between Kratie and Strung Treng/ Lao border where dolphins are said to live in considerable numbers on a regular basis. (Baird 1994, p. 162)" These five deep pools are at Khoopee, Goi Hep, Hang Khone (Lao/Cambodia border), Siem Bok, and Gawtawmpbawng islands. (Stacey, 1996)

Mapping of these habitats should be done for conservation planning.

Feeding

The Mekong dolphins like to eat lower part of big species fish, for the small fish they eat as a whole. The preference fish might be catfish.  

Births   

     According to the oral reports from villagers in the deep pools area, dolphins give birth on April or May. (Baird 1994) In Lao, there is a fairly-tail saying that dolphin were a wife of river tern. 

Local Perception

Local people both in southern Lao and northeastern Cambodia have good attitude toward the dolphins, "they believe that dolphins are friends of humans". (Baird 1994)

Relationship with the oceanic dolphin

     Genetic relationship: Genetic analysis was studied by collecting samples from the dead animals in 1993 (Baird, 1994) but the result of the analysis has not came out yet. 

     Movement: No information about when they first migrate to the Mekong River, Why? Why they are still live here? Any movement between the riverine and oceanic dolphin. 

Threats

Arial bombing by American and shooting by soldiers in the Indochina War are the worst threats, that cause a lot of decline in the population. The serious threats today are explosive and gillnets. Bomb fishing were heavily used in the pass and it is still practiced in some areas. It not only kill dolphins but also the fish in the Mekong River, which the dolphins depend upon. Food supply is one of the most serious threats, according to villagers fish catch has declined 20-25 % per year.

Planed dams on the Mekong mainstream and Sekong River will cause serious impacts to the dolphins and fish population. The planed dam on the mainstream at Strung Treng and Sambor, Cambodia, would be the most serious one.

Behavior

Stacey and Baird have studied on the behavior of the dolphins but still need more to studied. They like to appear in small group 2-3 animals. 

What have been done about the Mekong dolphin

     The Lao Community Fisheries and Dolphin Protection Protection Project worked very well but the project was closed because of funding. Locals participation is the key of the project. In Cambodia, Phong Choeun was mentioned to be a Laos replicated project in Cambodia.  There are many studies have been done on the Mekong dolphin but needed a lot more.