One of the swimmers sets out as part of the 120km awareness-raising campaign. WWF Cambodia
A team of intrepid swimmers have embarked on a courageous mission to draw attention to the plight of the Kingdom’s endangered Mekong River dolphin population.
For four days, from March 17 to 20, they will swim a 120km length of the dolphin’s habitat, raising funds and awareness of the Irrawaddy dolphins and other unique aquatic animals.
A conservation team, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, is conducting the campaign, the first of its kind in Cambodia.
Backed by a support team of river guards and WWF Cambodian officials, the team will swim in relays, braving strong currents and the same gillnets that have taken the lives of so many dolphins.
The event is supported by the Fisheries Administration (FiA), WWF-Cambodia, the Cambodian Rural Development Team, the US Marine Mammal Commission, the Sarasota Dolphin Research Programme at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, US, the IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group and Ocean Conservation Namibia.
The swimmers are supported by a team in kayaks and traditional vessels. WWF Cambodia
The campaign aims to support conservation efforts for the critically endangered Mekong River dolphins, one of the world’s most threatened species.
Agriculture minister Dith Tina announced the full support of the ministry, as it aligns with their ongoing efforts in dolphin conservation.
“As the results have shown, the number of Mekong dolphins has continued to increase over the last three years, proving our commitment and the effectiveness of our conservation programs,” he said.
Last week, a baby dolphin calf, estimated to be about two days old, was spotted by a research team from the FiA and WWF Cambodia, swimming with a pod in the Kampi pool of Kratie province’s Sambo district.
According to the researchers, the calf was born to a mother with the code number 123 and is part of a group of three adult dolphins. This marked the fifth newborn of 2025, and brought the total Cambodian population of Mekong dolphins to 109.
Over the next four days, the swim team will continue their journey along the Mekong River, supported by safety teams on kayaks and traditional riverboats.
The fifth calf birth recorded this year brought the current Mekong River dolphin population to 109. WWF-Cambodia
In addition to their feat of endurance, the team intend to observe the dolphins, document potential threats, and collect debris and discarded fishing nets that could pose a danger to the dolphins.
Chap Vibol, WWF Cambodia country director, reiterated that protecting the dolphins requires the collaboration of conservationists, policymakers and local communities. He described the campaign as a testament to public cooperation and involvement in conservation efforts.
Frances Gulland, chair of the US Marine Mammal Commission, spoke on behalf of the organising consortium. She explained that the Mekong Dolphin Swim is more than a challenge; it is a rallying call for action.
“We must act now to ensure that future generations will witness these magnificent creatures thriving in the Mekong,” she said.
While the public is not required to join the swim itself, their financial donations will support research and conservation efforts, including combating illegal fishing practices along the river.
Public contributions of $30 will help fund efforts to curb illegal fishing for one month. Donations of $35 will provide safety equipment for the swimmers and $100 will support capacity-building of the river guards.
The Mekong River dolphin is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List and is strictly protected by Cambodian fisheries laws and regulations.
