PHNOM PENH—Pink dolphins are drawing many tourists to the Prek Tnaot fishing community in Kampot Province, driven by the widespread dissemination of information from media, influencers, and tourists.

Ouk Sovannarith, the community's president, said on October 24 that the number of tourists has surged over the past two months.

“Previously, not many tourists visited the Prek Tnaot fishing community, but the media exposure and content creators have helped boost its appeal,” Sovannarith said.

“The boat tours for spotting pink dolphins, Irrawaddy dolphins, coral, and dugong have become favorable among tourists. Interestingly, I have noticed that both dolphin species have increased and are often spotted during tourists' visits.”

Located in Sangkat Prek Tnaot, Bokor City, Kampot Province, the community is working to preserve natural resources, including corals, seagrass, and rare marine species such as pink dolphins, Irrawaddy dolphins, dugongs, seahorses and sea turtles.

The community also has abundant marine life, including crabs, fish, lobsters and shrimp.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the population of pink dolphins in the Prek Tnaot fishing community has risen to 70, along with one dugong and several Irrawaddy dolphins. 

Cambodia is home to freshwater and saltwater Irrawaddy dolphins.

The Irrawaddy dolphin is one of the world’s six types of freshwater dolphin. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the dolphin as endangered.

Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess.