Yearly on October 24

International Freshwater Dolphin Day

Each October, people around the world celebrate river dolphins – an important and increasingly rare animal. Here in Cambodia, we’ve commemorated the Irrawaddy river dolphin, found in the Mekong River in our Mekong Flooded Forest landscape, every year since 2014.

Cambodia is lucky to be home to one of only six freshwater dolphin species in the world. They are revered as a “national living treasure,” for both their ecological value and cultural importance to the Cambodian people. As a flagship species for the Mekong River ecosystem, Irrawaddy dolphins play a vital role in rallying support for conservation as well as attracting local and international tourists to Kratie province.

In observance of Freshwater Dolphin Day, we host outreach events in our Mekong Flooded Forest landscape every year. Our message emphasizes the connection between thriving wildlife and thriving livelihoods: when dolphin populations are stable, communities benefit from ecotourism as a source of income. We also educate riverside communities about the negative impact of overfishing on dolphin populations and explain why it’s important to abide by local fishery laws.

This special day highlights a unique part of Cambodia's biological heritage, prompting us to think carefully about how we can all help safeguard river dolphins for future generations.