Posted on March, 17 2025

Stung Treng province, Cambodia, 17 March 2025 – A dedicated team of international conservationists will embark on a daring 120km relay swim down the Mekong River from 17–20 March, 2025, to raise awareness about the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in Cambodia and generate funds for their protection.
 
The Mekong Dolphin Swim will unite a consortium of organizations led by the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), supported by the Fisheries Administration, WWF-Cambodia, Cambodian Rural Development Team, U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, Sarasota Dolphin Research Programme at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, USA, IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group and Ocean Conservation Namibia. Together, they will support conservation efforts for one of the world’s most threatened wildlife populations.
 
The Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River face a critical risk of extinction, remaining only in a 120km range between Stung Treng and Kratie provinces. While ongoing conservation efforts have helped stabilize their numbers, threats continue to endanger this freshwater dolphin population, such as accidental entanglement in fishing gear (called “bycatch”), habitat degradation and illegal fishing practices.


Over four days, a team of swimmers will take turns navigating the Mekong’s currents, accompanied by a safety team in kayaks and support boats. The expedition will not only showcase the endurance and dedication of the participants but also serve as an opportunity to document dolphin sightings, identify threats and remove harmful litter and abandoned fishing nets from the river.
 
“The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries fully supports this initiative, as we are working in the same direction in preserving Mekong dolphins. As the results have shown these last three years, the Mekong dolphin population keeps on increasing. This is undeniable evidence of our commitment and effective conservation program,” stated H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
 
Funds raised from the event will directly support key dolphin conservation initiatives, including WWF-Cambodia’s River Guard Programme, which deploys dedicated river guards to monitor and protect the dolphins’ core habitat. Additionally, resources will be allocated to advancing research on bycatch mitigation and fostering stronger collaboration between marine and freshwater dolphin conservation programmes in Cambodia.
 
“Protecting the Irrawaddy dolphin population requires a unified approach from conservationists, policymakers and local communities. The Mekong Dolphin Swim is a testament to the power of collaboration and public engagement in conservation,” stated Chap Vibol, Country Director of WWF-Cambodia.

The swim is being organized with the support of the Dolphin Biology Research Institute of the Sarasota Dolphin Research Programme in the United States, which has developed an international fundraising platform to bolster dolphin conservation efforts. The organizers hope that the challenge will inspire greater support for initiatives aimed at securing the future of Cambodia’s river dolphins.

“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,” said Dr Frances Gulland, Chair of the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, speaking on behalf of the organizing consortium.
 
In 2016, a subpopulation of Irrawaddy dolphins in the Cheu Teal Pool was declared extinct, with the last known loss of a dolphin recorded in 2022. This loss highlights the urgent need to protect the remaining dolphins in the Mekong River. If we don’t act now, we risk losing these incredible creatures forever. We invite one and all to join our campaign to safeguard the Mekong's future.
 
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For more information or to support the Mekong Dolphin Swim, please visit WWF-Cambodia and The Dolphin Swim websites or make your donation now.

Media Contact:

Chheng Sambo,
Head of Communications and Knowledge Management, WWF-Cambodia
Email: sambo.chheng@wwf.org.kh
Tel: +855 89 832 842