Cambodia Registers Protected Mekong Habitat to Bolster Dolphin Conservation

PHNOM PENH, May 12, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has completed official land registration for a key Mekong River habitat of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, officials said Monday, marking a significant step in long‑term conservation efforts.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said the registration of Core Zone 2 in Stung Treng Province formalizes the dolphin management area, strengthening protection and management of critical conservation zones.

Authorities said the move, supported by the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, ensures permanent ownership certificates for the protected area and will help preserve safe habitats for the species.

The ministry credited close cooperation among the Fisheries Administration, local authorities, community river guards, relevant institutions and the World Wide Fund for Nature for contributing to steady growth in Cambodia’s dolphin population.

“Preserving a safe habitat ensures that the smile of the Mekong River will continue to exist for future generations,” the ministry said in a statement.

The announcement follows recent gains after officials confirmed Cambodia’s dolphin population had risen to 118 individuals, including a newborn calf spotted earlier this year in Kratie Province.

Cambodia’s Irrawaddy dolphins are concentrated along the upper Mekong between Kratie and Stung Treng and are regarded as one of the country’s most iconic endangered wildlife species.