“The presence of Irrawaddy dolphins in West Kalimantan waters was previously unknown, so we are excited with the results of this preliminary study and hope this will help reveal information on the population and distribution of this unique species,” said Albertus Tjiu, WWF-Indonesia’s Conservation Biologist, and one of the study’s lead scientists.
Little information existed before the expedition surveyed the area, although local fishermen admitted that they often encountered Irrawaddy dolphin in brackish waters and mangrove and nypah channels. Waterways in mangrove and nypah islets are important habitat for Irrawaddy dolphins especially within deep channels which provide feeding and, travelling sites. Pollution, fishing and boat traffic imposes the greatest risks for these dolphins within the area surveyed.
“The results of this study indicate the importance of protecting the dolphins’ habitat, from the origins of the rivers in the Heart of Borneo, to the lower rivers of the island, including waterways of Batu Ampar mangroves and nypah forests, the narrow straits and the coastal areas of Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan,” Albertus Tjiu said.
But he also cautions that the continued growth of charcoal production in West Kalimantan is threatening the area’s mangrove forests, one of the dolphins’ key habitats. Over one hundred small and medium-sized charcoal producers are now operating in Kubu Raya, and additional threats from increased boat traffic in waterways and forest conversion are posing further challenges to the growth of the species.

Critically Endangered species
Irrawaddy dolphins are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, but in some areas - including the Mekong River, the Ayeyawardi River and the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan - the species is listed as critically endangered. With a global population of around 6000 individuals, Irrawaddy dolphins are found in many of Southeast Asia’s estuaries and mangrove areas. Close to 5,800 of the vulnerable dolphins live in the coastal waters of Bangladesh along the Bay of Bengal, and the nearby Sunderbarns mangrove forests. The remaining population is scattered throughout Southeast Asia and can be found in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and the northeastern coast of Australia.

Source: WWF

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