The Irrawaddy dolphins

The Irrawaddy dolphin is the Mekong’s most famous animal. These freshwater dolphins are named after the Irrawaddy River in Burma, but are most often seen in the waters of the Mekong between Laos and Cambodia.

The Mekong dolphin is known by its scientific name: Orcaella brevirostris, but is more commonly known as the Irrawaddy dolphin. It was discovered in 1866 and it took many years for it to be classified as a protected species. This species is only seen in South-East Asia. The Mekong dolphin also forms several other sub-populations that are geographically located further afield.

Scientific name: Orcaella brevirostris; subspecies: Orcaella heinsohni or Australian bottlenose dolphin.

Population: To date, scientists have not been able to count the exact number of Irrawaddy dolphins. The global population is estimated at around 6,000 individuals.

Description: Irrawaddy dolphins are blue-grey cetaceans that can grow up to 2.5 metres in length and weigh around 200 kg. They usually live in groups of 6 and are often found in the 190-kilometre strait between the islands of Don Khon in Laos and Kratie Island in Cambodia. These freshwater dolphins most often travel the waters of the Mekong, which is why they are also known as Mekong dolphins. They are unable to survive in brackish waters, which are saltier.

Habitat: As well as Cambodia, Irrawaddy dolphins can also be seen in other parts of Southeast Asia, including the Bay of Bengal, India, the Mahakam River in Indonesia, Thailand, Burma and even the Philippines. There are between 70 and 100 individuals in the stretch between Laos and Cambodia. Between 33 and 50 individuals live in the Mahakam river stretch in Indonesia. And in Burma, in a 370 km stretch of the Irrawaddy River, there are between 50 and 70 individuals.

According to the WWF, only 64 to 76 Irrawaddy dolphins remain in the Mekong. This threat of extinction is due to the high levels of pesticides, mercury and other pollutants in the Mekong River. Recently, 50 young delphinids fell victim to this threat. These pollutants destroy the immune systems of the mammals, leaving them defenceless against infection. These dolphins are also threatened by fishing nets and intensive human exploitation. The Irrawaddy dolphin has been on the endangered species list since 2004.

How do I get there?

Once you arrive in Kratie, you’ll need to hire a motorbike, Tuktuk or taxi and travel the 30km to the villages on the banks of the Mekong. To see the dolphins, hire a boat from the boatmen who know where the dolphins are.

Times and prices

– The best time to see the dolphins is in the morning between 07:00 and 10:00. Alternatively, they can be seen late in the afternoon from 3pm to 5pm. It should be noted that the dry season, between December and May, is by far the best time to see dolphins.

– In exchange for a small fee, you can join local boatmen on a dolphin-watching trip. To get the best price, it’s best to have at least three people on board the boat.