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Rare dolphin faces extinction
15/02/2006 14:47 - (SA)
Phnom Penh - The rare Asian dolphin has
moved closer to extinction in Cambodia after a series of deaths
in fishing nets over the past few weeks, officials said on
Wednesday.
Two baby dolphins were found dead in nets on Monday, taking
the toll to 10 since early December, said Leang Seng of the
fishery office in Kratie Province, 210km northeast
of Phnom Penh where 90 of the mammals lived.
"This is terrible news, making a serious situation even
more critical," said Robert Mather of the World Wildlife Fund's
Greater Mekong Programme.
There are believed to be about 1 000 of the dolphins alive,
with other groups being found in Thai coastal estuaries and a
few other freshwater areas in Asia.
Leang Seng said it appeared unlikely Cambodia could save
its population because villagers dependent on fish for protein
ignored orders not to spread nets in areas where the dolphin
lived.
"It is a matter of time," he said. "We lack human
resources, technical experts and financial support," he said.
Most of the dolphins killed in nets over the past few weeks
were young calves, adding to the dire prospects for the
Cambodian population, at its most vulnerable during the current
dry season when the river's level is low.
"If this continues there will be no more breeding," Leang
Seng said.
- Reuters
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