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Irrawaddy dolphins functionally extinct in Laos
The population of critically endangered Mekong River Dolphins -- also known as Irrawaddy Dolphins -- in the Cheuteal trans-boundary pool between southern Laos (Si Phan Don or 4000 Islands) and northern Cambodia has shrunk by 50 per cent this year alone and the population is functionally extinct in Laos, according to WWF.
WWF survey teams from Laos and Cambodia conducted a dolphin abundance survey and confirmed the current number and breeding status of the dolphins in the transboundary pool. Down to just three individuals – from six just earlier this year – there is now little hope for a reversal of the situation, as the small population is no longer viable. “Functional extinction” results when there are too few potential breeding pairs available to ensure the survival of the population.
The full story is here: Irrawaddy dolphins functionally extinct in Laos
The population of critically endangered Mekong River Dolphins -- also known as Irrawaddy Dolphins -- in the Cheuteal trans-boundary pool between southern Laos (Si Phan Don or 4000 Islands) and northern Cambodia has shrunk by 50 per cent this year alone and the population is functionally extinct in Laos, according to WWF.
WWF survey teams from Laos and Cambodia conducted a dolphin abundance survey and confirmed the current number and breeding status of the dolphins in the transboundary pool. Down to just three individuals – from six just earlier this year – there is now little hope for a reversal of the situation, as the small population is no longer viable. “Functional extinction” results when there are too few potential breeding pairs available to ensure the survival of the population.
The full story is here: Irrawaddy dolphins functionally extinct in Laos
