The freshwater Irrawaddy dolphin (trey pisaut), is an endangered species throughout Asia, with shrinking numbers inhabiting stretches of the Mekong in Cambodia, Laos, and other found in isolated pockets in Bangladesh and Myanmar. Before the civil war, locals say, Cambodia was home to as many as 1000 dolphins and their habitat included the Tonle Sap lake. However, during the Pol Pot regime, many were hanted for their oil and their numbers have plimmeted. Dynamite fishing, whereby lazy locals chuck a grenade in the river because they can’t be bothered to wait around for a catch, hasn’t exactly helped the dolphins’ plight either. Locals and experts alike believe there may be as many as 60 Irrawaddy dolphins left on stretches of the Mekong River north of Kratie. It is possible to see them at a place called Kampi, about 15km north of Kratie, on the road to Stung Tren. There are local motorboats available to shuttle visitor out to the middle of the river to view the dolphins at close quaters. The boat operators try to claim the price has been fixed at US$5 per person, but this is expensive compared with boat hire elsewhere in Cambodia. Try to encourage the boat driver to use the engine as little as possible once near the dolphins as the noise is sure to disturb them. The local also say the best time of year to see the dolphins is at the height of wet season; however, with the assistance of an able boat driver, it is just as easy to spot 10 or more in the dry season. There is no particular time of day that’s best suited the spotting, althogh early morning and late afternoon draw the most visitors.
You May Also Like
How to plan a perfect Family Holiday to Vietnam
Are you trying to plan an enjoyable, instructive, and unforgettable family vacation? Do you wish to travel to a nation…
A Family Holiday in Vietnam and Cambodia – All you need to know
I. Perception of a Family Vacation? A family vacation is a trip taken by members of a family unit, typically…
What is the cost of a 12-day Vietnam Cambodia Family Holiday roughly?
Embarking on a family tour to Vietnam and Cambodia is an exciting and enriching experience that offers a wealth of…
Why to book a Vietnam Cambodia Family Holiday via Local Agents?
When planning a family holiday to Vietnam and Cambodia, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how to…
How to plan a flawless Family vacation to Vietnam and Cambodia?
Embarking on a family vacation to Vietnam and Cambodia is an exciting and enriching experience that offers a wealth of…
Why a Family Vacation to Vietnam and Cambodia?
Embarking on a family tour of Vietnam and Cambodia is an enriching and transformative experience that offers countless benefits for…