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| FEATURES AND HISTORY OF MEKONG DOLPHIN |
| Mekong dolphin’lrrawaddy dolphin’s, the rare aquatic mammals in the world, live in fresh water. At present, only 80 to 100 dolphin live in the Mekong River between Kratie and Stung Treng and Cambodia-Laos border.Big dolphins are 2 to 2.8 m long with the weight of almost 200 kg. One female dolphin can give birth to only one baby for every 2 to 3 years and raise its baby by nursing like human beings ( They are mammals not fish). Dolphin are clever because they have a special vocal system for mutual interaction and perception while preying on fish. |
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| Their food is fish, especially scale-less fishes, oysters, snails, and clams in the river. Dolphin like swimming cheerfully in small groups of 3 to 5. Dolphin can live up to 20 or 40 years. |
| Before the civil war, thousands of dolphin lived in the Mekong River, Tonle Sap and along the river leading to Vietnam. In Pol Pot time, a number of dolphins were killed for fat or hunted for pleasure. Using grenades, electrified tools, and fishing with big-hole mesh were the main causes of rapid decrease in dolphin population in the Mekong River. |
| Since 1998, several international organizations cooperated with the local authorities as well as competent institutions have worked closely in the Mekong River. Now the Royal Government is paying most attention to persevering the Mekong River dolphins. |
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