In this article, Bella discusses the issue of Irrawaddy dolphin's declining numbers in the wild.
Dolphins are well-known aquatic animals in our oceans and rivers. Contrary to common belief, they are not fish but are, in fact, mammals. Beloved by many, these ocean-dwelling creatures show up in movie after movie, coloring book after coloring book. Basically, if you have no idea what a dolphin is, you are living under a rock. However, their nearly 40 subspecies are much less well-known. One of those subspecies is the Irrawaddy dolphin.
Irrawaddy dolphins, otherwise known as the Ayeyarwady, or Mahakam River dolphins, have been recorded in Indonesia, Southeast Asia, and the Bay of Bengal. This aquatic animal is usually found swimming in groups of six or fewer, but a group of up to 25 has been spotted while fishing in the deep. Irrawaddy dolphins have been found in both marine and freshwater, swimming in rivers like the Mekong, the Mahakam, and the Ayeyarwady. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation states that Irrawaddy dolphins have "an instantly recognisable, charismatic rounded face and head with no beak; they look like baby belugas, only with a dorsal fin.” Irrawaddy dolphins have reportedly expressive faces, due to their movable lips. They also have greater flexibility in their neck than other subspecies.
Irrawaddy dolphins have a small dorsal fin but larger fins and tail. These dolphins vary in size, from around nine to six feet long when fully grown. Irrawaddy dolphin's main source of food consists of any fish available in their habitat. The marine Irrawaddy also eats octopus and squid and tend to follow the tides, moving in and out of the shallows. This is thought to derive from the movement of their prey.
However, these dolphins are in danger. Bycatch is a big factor in the state of Irrawaddy dolphins declining numbers. Around 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear are discarded every year into the ocean. This subspecies has a very low reproductive rate, so when even a small amount of these dolphins are killed, it drastically affects the population as a whole. "The protection of the Irrawaddy dolphin is crucial for the overall health of the Mekong River—home to an estimated 1,100 species of fish.” World Wildlife Fund warns that Irrawaddy dolphins are known as a keystone species in their environment. Without them, their home will become unstable, and the functions of the underwater environment will change drastically.
Conservation efforts for the Irrawaddy species are taking place worldwide. Being aware of their existence is one step toward species conservation. Those who are interested in learning more can check out the World Wildlife Fund website.