The population of Mekong dolphins, specifically the Irrawaddy dolphins, has increased to over 100, according to Cambodia's Agriculture Minister, Dith Tina. This development offers a glimmer of hope for the endangered species.

Irrawaddy dolphins, known for their distinctive domed foreheads and short beaks, were once prevalent throughout the Mekong River, extending to the delta in Vietnam. However, their numbers have significantly declined due to illegal fishing, habitat loss, and plastic pollution.

"Currently, we have some 105 dolphins," Minister Dith Tina announced during National Fisheries Day. The population had dropped from 200 in 1997, the year of the first census, to just 89 in 2020. The recent increase includes the birth of eight dolphin calves in the first half of this year, although two deaths were also recorded.

The rise in dolphin numbers follows the birth of eight dolphins last year, despite five deaths in 2023. The agricultural ministry credits stricter measures against illegal fishing and the production and distribution of destructive fishing tools for this positive trend.

Last year, Cambodia's then-leader Hun Sen revised a law aimed at protecting the dolphins, acknowledging the negative impact on the fishing industry while conservation efforts continued. Despite being listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), around 70 percent of the dolphin population is now too old to breed, adding to the challenges of their conservation.

The dolphins' habitat has been further affected by upstream dams in Laos and China, along with climate change, which have significantly impacted water levels in the Mekong River.