The endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris, lives in south and southeast Asia, where it is considered sacred in some areas, and endangered in all areas, and they are legally protected from hunting. It is a true oceanic dolphin, closely related to the orca. In the lower Mekong river is a relic population of an endemic sub- species isolated for more than 10000 years. Totally cut off from the sea, they used to live down to Phnom Pen, the capital, and the huge Tonle Sap lake, but now the hundred or so individuals are restricted upstream to the Laos border.The population of the Irrawaddy Dolphin is decreasing rapidly, due to entanglement in fishing nets, predation by hunters, and injury form fishing by explosives. Surveys conducted in 2001 estimated that the Malampaya Sound population in the Philippines consists of just 77 individuals, confined to a small area in the inner sound, and is the only known population of this species in the country. During 2001 there were reports that as many as five animals from this population were killed incidentally in fishing operations, indicating that the Irrawaddy dolphins of Malampaya Sound are in immediate danger of extinction due to low numbers, limited range, and high mortality.
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Picture of Irrawaddy dolphins, Orcaella brevirostris. In the lower Mekong river is a relic population of an endemic sub- species isolated for more than 10000 years. Totally cut off from the sea, the hundred or so individuals are restricted upstream to the Laos border.
Picture #: 065704 |
Stock photo of Irrawaddy dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris, Borneo, Malaysia
Picture #: 092210 |
Image of Irrawaddy dolphins, Orcaella brevirostris, illustration.
Picture #: 010696 |
Photo of Irrawaddy dolphins, Orcaella brevirostris. In the lower Mekong river is a relic population of an endemic sub- species isolated for more than 10000 years. Totally cut off from the sea, the hundred or so individuals are restricted upstream to the Laos border.
Picture #: 065709 |
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Picture of Irrawaddy dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris, leaping. In the lower Mekong river is a relic population of an endemic sub- species isolated for more than 10000 years. Totally cut off from the sea, the hundred or so individuals are restricted upstream to the Laos border.
Picture #: 065699 |
Stock photo of sign for Kratie showing Irrawaddy dolphins, Orcaella brevirostri. Near Kratie town on the Mekong river is a relic population of the endemic sub-species of Irrawaddy dolphins. Resticted to this large river for more than 10000 years. Conservation and ecotourism are the goal.
Picture #: 065689 |
Image of Irrawaddy dolphins, Orcaella brevirostris, spitting. In the lower Mekong river is a relic population of an endemic sub- species isolated for more than 10000 years. Totally cut off from the sea, the hundred or so individuals are restricted upstream to the Laos border.
Picture #: 065686 |
Photo of Irrawaddy dolphins, Orcaella brevirostris, spitting. In the lower Mekong river is a relic population of an endemic sub- species isolated for more than 10000 years. Totally cut off from the sea, the hundred or so individuals are restricted upstream to the Laos border.
Picture #: 065695 |
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Picture of Irrawaddy dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris, spitting. In the lower Mekong river is a relic population of an endemic sub- species isolated for more than 10000 years. Totally cut off from the sea, the hundred or so individuals are restricted upstream to the Laos border.
Picture #: 065697 |
Stock photo of Irrawaddy dolphins, Orcaella brevirostris,with Belugas Whales, the only cetaceans known to spit water thru their mouth. Although it is not known why, it is assumed to be used to disorientate fish underwater with a strong flow of water.
Picture #: 065700 |
Image of sign for Kratie, habitat of Irrawaddy dolphins, Orcaella brevirostris. Near Kratie town on the Mekong river is a relic population of the endemic sub-species of Irrawaddy dolphins. Resticted to this large river for more than 10000 years. Conservation and ecotourism are the goal.
Picture #: 065690 |
Photo of Irrawaddy dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris, with boat, Borneo, Malaysia
Picture #: 092211 |
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