Five new Irrawaddy dolphin calves are swimming between Mandalay and Sagaing region, say local fishermen.
New babies are rarely seen, so the potential uptick in births this year offers a small amount of hope that one of Myanmar’s most endangered species is pulling itself back from the brink of extinction.
Wildlife Conservation Society advisor Thant Zin told Myanmar Mix that river police along with his organisation and others have been patrolling the area for illegal fishing day and night, which has bolstered the population.
"We are very happy with that," he said. "It shows good community team work too. We will keep trying for more success and increase the dolphin population."
Fisherman Maung Lay told state media he was guiding tourists down the river when he saw two calves near Seinpangon village, two in a pod of eight dolphins near Mingun town, and one near Indaung village.
Maung Lay is part of an ecotourism project to protect the cetaceans in Myanmar, which number fewer than 80 according to a recent survey.
The community initiative sees local fisherman taking visitors on dolphin-spotting tours and showcasing fishermen working with the dolphins to lure fish into their nets, an old tradition that is fading because of river traffic, and electric and dynamite fishing.
With the income generated by ecotourism, the fishermen are also less likely to partake in harmful fishing activities.
A 74-kilometre stretch of the river is now officially protected, with restrictions on gillnets, mining and dredging. In this protected zone, 10 fishermen were arrested and 37 electric fishing nets were seized in 2018, according to government data.
In the same year, Mandalay Marine Police recorded six dolphin deaths, with two reportedly killed earlier this year.
