Conservationists to launch dolphin protection campaigns

Han Win, member of the Ayeyawady dolphin conservation team, said: “We’ve replaced the old boat with a larger one. We will showcase facts about the dolphins on the boat. The tourists will be able to learn about them in one place and we may boost dolphin-protection awareness this way.”
A tour to observe dolphins will start today (Friday) and is jointly arranged by the Fishery Department and the team. 
“We will erect posters in 60 villages along the Ayeyawady. We will request the fishermen not to fish with electrocution and inform them of the penalties for harming protected animals.”
The wildlife conservation and protection of natural areas law from 1994 carries a sentence up to five years and a Ks30,000 (US$22) fine.
According to a survey, half of dolphin deaths are caused by humans. In November, a pregnant dolphin died in the conservation area. Seinyaungso Environmental Group conducted a poster campaign for safety and conservation of dolphins, at Singyun village, in cooperation with the natural green group in December.
The Bird Conservation Group and dolphin conservation team of the Fishery Department carry out monitoring and knowledge dissemination in Mingun-Kyaukmyaung dolphin conservation area, twice a month.
Reports suggest three dolphins died in 2016.
The dolphin conservation team started recording the population of dolphins in 2002 and found there were altogether 72 dolphins. Now the number has dropped to 69. 
The dolphins disappeared from the upper river, an area outside the conservation zone stretching from Mandalay to Mingun, and the changing geographical landscape was partly to blame, according to the team.