There are Fewer Than 250 of This Unusual Dolphin Species Left, and Two Were Capture in Heartwarming Video

Encountering an endangered species in its natural habitat is one of the most amazing experiences. Sure, seeing them in a zoo is cool, but there’s something about watching an animal interact in its natural setting that is truly heartwarming. Case in point: seeing Irrawaddy dolphins playing in the river they call home. That’s what happened to a Cambodian tour guide named Bora Sim, who happened upon a couple of Irrawaddy dolphins swimming near Kratie, Cambodia. The kayaking tour guide shared a video of the rare encounter on YouTube, per Viral Press, and it’s full of joy.

In the video taken from a kayak, an Irrawaddy dolphin splashes around in the water. At first, you can just see glimpses of its fins and tails, and then it emerges from the water with another Irrawaddy dolphin by its side. They do somersaults in the water, swimming and splashing right in front of the boat, like something out of a fairytale, as guests on the boats shriek with delight.

As these adorable dolphins play together, they are soon joined by several more, splashing around the water over and over again. Considering how there are only a couple of hundred or fewer of these dolphins that still exist and they are classified as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, this encounter is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Where are Irrawaddy dolphins typically found?

Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) live in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, per World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Specifically, they live in three rivers: the Ayeyarwady (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo), and the Mekong, where just 92 dolphins are estimated to live in the 118-mile stretch from Cambodia to Lao PDR. (The Whale & Dolphin Conservation [WDC] also lists Irrawaddys as living in Chilka Lake in India and Songkhla Lake in Thailand).

The Khmer and Lao people believe this dolphin is sacred, and it provides many benefits to the community. These dolphins are important for the health of the Mekong River and the estimated 1,100 species of fish that live there. The creature also contributes to the local economy, as it provides income and jobs related to dolphin-spotting ecotourism.

How are Irrawaddy dolphins different from other dolphins?

Easily recognized by their big, rounded foreheads, short beaks, and row of approximately 12-19 teeth on each side of both of their jaws, the Irrawaddy dolphins can weigh anywhere between 198-440 pounds and reach lengths of 5.9-9 feet. According to the International Whaling Commission, they also typically have a low, blunt dorsal fin, are much smaller than humpback or bottlenose dolphins, and have a flexible neck that allows them to move their heads in any direction.

Irrawaddy dolphins aren’t known to be showy or acrobatic like other dolphin species. However, their playfulness in the above video is due to their history of close associations with fishing boats. These sea creatures have highly expressive faces and can spit spouts of water from their mouths into the air, according to the WDC.  Irrawaddy dolphins usually form small groups of 2-6, although larger congregations may occur, likely due to the mating season.

Tourists in Southeast Asia will love to see these incredible creatures play around their kayaking or fishing boats like Sim did.

What’s being done to help this endangered species?

Some estimates say the Irrawaddy dolphin population is in the 10s to low 100s, while others say it’s closer to 250. Still, one thing is sure: the number is low. This is likely due to a variety of reasons, from habitat loss to captivity.

Because Irrawaddy dolphins prefer to live in freshwater habitats near the shore, they are restricted geographically and are at greater risk of human threats like entanglement in fishing gear, and habitat changes from construction, pollution, and vessel traffic. Their main natural predators are sharks, but they are in much more danger from human interactions than from any animal. They are, unfortunately, popular in the captivity industry, as they are beautiful to look at and easy to catch.

The WWF has a goal to restore Asian river dolphin populations by 2030, which they aim to do by tackling systemic threats due to unsustainable fisheries, hydropower, and other infrastructures, as well as reducing pollution and empowering local communities to engage in river dolphin conservation.

Endangered Species International (ESI) is also working to conserve this species. They train 1,000 fishermen a year on protecting this endangered species, which includes sustainable fishing practices and establishing no-fishing zones in areas where dolphins are found. The ESI is also working on restoring and protecting natural habitats where these dolphins live and reducing water pollution.

By spreading awareness about this beautiful species (and the importance of taking care of the earth!), you too can help conserve the Irrawaddy dolphin and other endangered or at-risk animals.