Six rare Mekong giant catfish, each measuring two meters long and weighing up to 130 kilograms, were recently discovered in Cambodia’s waters, according to Phys.org. This species, among the largest and rarest freshwater fish globally, has faced an 80 percent population decline over the past 13 years due to overfishing and environmental changes.

The fish were safely documented and released back into the Mekong River through a collaboration between local fishermen and Cambodia’s Fisheries Administration. Conservationists have praised this event as marking “a new era” for endangered species protection. Over the past 25 years, about 100 giant catfish have been tagged and released in Cambodia, supported by fishing restrictions that aid conservation efforts.

The U.S.-funded Wonders of the Mekong project highlighted the importance of preserving river connectivity for the survival of these species and the communities that depend on healthy waterways. This discovery follows a 2022 sighting of a four-meter-long, 180-kilogram giant freshwater stingray, further emphasizing Cambodia's rich aquatic biodiversity.

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