For the first time ever, Cambodia has reported zero deaths of the Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins over a full year, specifically from November 13, 2024, to November 13, 2025.
This amazing achievement was announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and marks a huge success for protecting these animals. The Ministry pointed out that since they started tracking the dolphin population in 2002, this is the first year without any reported deaths.
As of November 2025, the dolphin population is growing! Seven new baby dolphins have been born, bringing the total number of dolphins in Cambodia to 111.
The MAFF credits this positive progress to several key groups working together:
- Strong Government Leadership
- The Fisheries Administration and Local Authorities
- The World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
- River Guards
- Fishing Communities
They especially recognized the local fishermen for actively helping by sharing information and fighting illegal fishing practices.
This year’s success follows last year’s promising numbers, where nine new dolphins were born—the highest number in four years.
These Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins are a valuable natural treasure for Cambodia. They are fully protected by the country’s Fisheries Law. Despite this success, they are still considered critically endangered by the international conservation group IUCN Red List, which is the highest level of threat.
According to WWF-Cambodia, having these dolphins in the Mekong River is a sign that the river itself is healthy. A healthy river means better fisheries, greater biodiversity, and natural ecosystems that support the lives of people living nearby.