Newborn Pink Dolphins Spotted at Kampot Province
Another 15 to 20 pink dolphins were sighted on Dec. 22 around the beach in Bokor city in Kampot province. Photo: Kampot provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said Kampot Fisheries Administration and Marine Conservation.
- By Chhum Chantha
- December 23, 2023 11:00 AM
PHNOM PENH– Another 15 to 20 pink dolphins were sighted on Dec. 22 around the beach in Bokor city in Kampot province.
Chan Rithy, director of the provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said Kampot Fisheries Administration and Marine Conservation saw them in Trapeang Ropov village on a mission to study marine mammals.
“Some are newborn and some might have migrated from another area. Kampot Fisheries Administration and MCC are conducting further research on their identification,” Rithy said.
The team plans to use recorders to identify and quantify the dolphin herd.
The sightings bring the number of pink dolphins around the beach to between 40 and 46. In addition, there are about 30 to 40 Irrawaddy dolphins.
Pink dolphins and Irrawaddy dolphins are found in the beaches and rivers of Cambodia. These species belong to the family of marine mammals called cetaceans.
However, their behaviors are different. Irrawaddy dolphins are shy and barely jump out of the water, while pink dolphins are more active.
Pink dolphins are a rare species and are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess.
