Phnom Penh: The first-of-its-kind swim across 120 kilometres of river dolphin habitat – the Mekong Dolphin Swim – officially began this morning to raise public awareness and promote the conservation of the Mekong dolphins. A team of international conservationists has embarked on their daring journey down the Mekong River, launching their swim at the riverbend near the Cambodia-China Mekong Stung Treng Friendship Bridge.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, a team of five swimmers, accompanied by river guards and WWF-Cambodia team, will spend the next four days braving river currents, wildlife, and gillnets to raise funds for Irrawaddy river dolphin conservation and the Mekong River’s aquatic animals. Dr. Frances Gulland, a 65-year-old veterinarian specialising in marine mammal medicine, is among the courageous swimmers. As Chair of the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, she believes in protecting biodiversity – especially dolphins – as sentinels of river and ocean health.

“The Mekong Dolphin Swim is more than a challenge; it is a rallying call for action,” she said. “We must act now to ensure that future generations will witness these magnificent creatures thriving in the Mekong.”

The team will finish their swim in Kratie Town on Mar. 20. The final day of their trek through the Irrawaddy dolphin’s shrinking habitat will be celebrated in Kampi Pool. As of early 2025, there are at least 105 Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins in Cambodia. The Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) are a living natural treasure of Cambodia and are fully protected under the Kingdom’s Fisheries Law. The population is ranked as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, the highest international threat ranking for endangered species.