Naphat Vejchasart
Special correspondent, BBC Thai
image source, Sirachai Arunrugstichai / Getty Images
Veterinarian feeding the Brotherhood of Irrawaddy dolphins, who died in late August 2022.
Even if the “Bradon” cub has been under veterinary care 24 hours a day for over 40 days, it has not survived until the day the veterinarian expected.
But every loss of a rare marine species could become a catalyst for conservation trends in society. Since the death of the dugong Mariam to the National Manatee Conservation Plan or from the brotherhood to the trend of the last 14 Irrawaddy dolphins in Songkhla Lake at every backlash from the veterinarian on the outpost to the policy-making authority They are involved in keeping the creatures alive.
In 2019, the news of Mariam’s passing Dugong lost its mother where the staff helped to give milk instead of the mother But in the end Mariam died because of the plastic. Conservation trend in Thai society leading to the National Manatee Conservation Plan But for some people who are close to Mariam Instead, he felt like he was wounded. because she could not keep Mariam alive.
Veterinarians are one of the frontline professions that are always under pressure. Especially marine veterinarians who work with rare marine animals. Currently, only nine are stationed at marine and coastal research centers across Thailand. which contrasts with the marine area of Thailand with more than 350,000 square kilometers In addition to the limitations in the number of personnel There is also a society’s expectation that veterinarians must make rescued animals survive.
“Some people feel discouraged. Some people feel guilty Until I want to quit Just because they can’t help those animals.” Eastern Gulf Coast Marine Resources and Research Center told BBC Thai
“In the case of the Brotherhood Most of the pressure from outside will be watching to see if the dolphin will survive. We would like to explain that in fact rescues were achieved in a small group of male dolphins, perhaps only 1%, due to the stranding of the animals. It may mean that it has been sick before. and even more being a baby animal To survive it was even more difficult than usual. Because young animals do not have good immunity. Moreover, stress is caused by not being with the herd or the mother. But we try to do our best,” said Thanaphan, MD.
image source, Sirachai Arunrugstichai / Getty Images
Irrawaddy dolphins are small dolphins.
For more than 40 days, Paradorn, a 6-month-old lost Irrawaddy dolphin, has been nurtured by a team of vets at the Eastern Thailand Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center in Rayong province after being rescued on Friday. On July 22, 2022, just before it died of respiratory failure. On Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Miss Thanaphan told the BBC Thai that The team originally planned to care for the “brothers” for 6 months, or until they turn 1 year before being released back into the wild. which after a week of assistance The Brotherhood also had better physical health. Originally unable to swim by himself need someone to support began to swim normally
“When it gets stronger It also likes to suck fingers. Suck on his clothes to say he’s hungry. Or perhaps pretending to float still as if something had happened. But when we approached it, it swam away, so we called this behavior ‘sleeping flirting’.”
However, even though the Brotherhood was closely monitored by a team of veterinarians 24 hours a day, it started to become stressful. From the former that can enter the medicine to feed food. did not accept the procedure His body became thin, weak, infected and choking, resulting in lung infections and subsequent deaths.
“The Brotherhood is like our Headmaster. It made me realize that we still have a lot to study. And the lessons here will help to treat other rare sea creatures more effectively,” said Mr. Thanaphan.
From “Pharadon” to Irrawaddy dolphins in Thai waters
Chalatip Chanchomphu, Director of the Marine Resources and Coastal Research Center on the Eastern Gulf of Thailand told the BBC that Irrawaddy dolphins are considered one of the rare and endangered marine species. It spreads only in the Indo-Pacific region. Can live in both salt water, brackish water and fresh water by the Irrawaddy dolphins are considered small dolphins. Has a guard of not more than 3 meters, slender body, rounded head. no beak Some areas are popularly known as porpoise dolphins. However, it can cause confusion between smooth dorsal dolphins, which differ in that they do not have dorsal fins.
Although its status by the International Organization for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is Endangered (EN), it is critically endangered (CR) in Thailand. Marine and Coast Guard Department About 600-700 will be found in 2022.
There are 5 main Irrawaddy dolphins found in Thailand: the eastern Gulf of Thailand, about 240 dolphins, the upper Gulf of Thailand or the Gulf of Thailand, about 230 dolphins, the central Gulf of Thailand, about 145 dolphins, about 50 dolphins on the Andaman coast, and at Songkhla Lake. Only 14 left
“At present, Songkhla Lake is considered to be of great concern for a state of extinction (local extinction),” Chalatip said.
image source, Thai National Park
Irrawaddy dolphins are critically endangered in Thailand.
If you look at the statistics of Irrawaddy dolphins beaching and deaths. not counting at Songkhla Lake In the same ratio, 25% will be caused by natural illnesses. fishing gear In addition, it will be the power lost from the mother, accidents and marine debris.
The last 14 Irrawaddy dolphins in Songkhla Lake
“We can see that over the past 20 years, the number of Irrawaddy dolphins in Songkhla Lake has not increased at all,” said Dr. Kongkiat. Kittiwattanawong Director of the Center for Marine Resources Research and the Upper Andaman Coast Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (NTC) said.
There are only 5 freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins in the world:
- Lake Chilika, India It has a population of 151.
- Mahakham River, Indonesia, 70-90 birds
- Mekong River in northern Cambodia, 89 birds
- Irrawaddy River, Myanmar, 79 birds
- Songkhla Lake in Thailand It is estimated that there are only 14 left.
Songkhla Lake has an area of more than 1,040 square kilometers. Overlaps Phatthalung Province and Songkhla Province From the study with acoustic surveys placed at various points, it was found that Irrawaddy dolphins were predominantly distributed in the upper lagoons or the high seas. and chased down to the south no more than the Big Island This point is a wide area with an average depth of about 3 meters.
Why did it become a dolphin that lives in fresh water?
“According to the evolution The Irrawaddy dolphin is not a true river dolphin of the five species, but because Irrawaddy dolphins are coastal creatures. The estuary area and like to enter brackish water cause some populations to live in freshwater bodies to become subpopulations. (subpopulation) coming up in various freshwater sources, which is the remarkable thing of this species of dolphins.” Sirachai Arunraktichai marine scientists explain
In the Songkhla Lake Some of the data used in sea level change research indicates that over the past 6,000 years, sea levels were at high altitudes. a channel connecting the Gulf of Thailand and Songkhla Lake Irrawaddy dolphins can live in the area.
image source, WWF
Irrawaddy dolphins are 3 water dolphins.
when the terrain changes over time connection of the soil causing a cutoff between the Gulf of Thailand and Songkhla Lake The lake-dwelling Irrawaddy dolphins have since become freshwater dolphins.
“If we look at the historical map we can see that 500 years ago the lake was still open, while 300 years ago we saw that there was a lower lake. but did not see the upper lake So I’m not sure if there was a connection above 572 years ago or not. Accuracy is uncertain. It is difficult to remember to assess when Songkhla Lake had soil connection,” added Dr. Kongkiat.
The main threats to freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins
In early May 2022, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Laos announced that Irrawaddy dolphins have become extinct in Laos. Caused by fishing gear
“Even though the Mekong River dolphins in Laos are already extinct. But there are still surviving populations (dolphins) in Cambodia. Which is the same population as the one in Thailand If there is an extinction, it will be considered the first freshwater Irrawaddy dolphin in the world to be extinct,” said Dr. Kongkiat.
Looking at the statistics of Irrawaddy dolphin deaths in Songkhla Lake over the past 20 years, 60% were caused by accidental fishing gear, 38% were caused by natural illness and pollution, and 2% were caused by being propelled This is a direct factor affecting the death or stranding of Irrawaddy dolphins.
When the number of Irrawaddy dolphins is reduced It results in mixing among themselves and the blood is close. This makes new born dolphins vulnerable.
image source, EPA
A dolphin caught in a fishing tool It is a factor of beaching and death.
“The shallowness of the lake is also one of the indirect factors. Because this point is the source of water carrying sediments. when sediments cannot be transmitted to the outside sea It causes the accumulation of sediments. shallow The deepest part of the lake is about 3 meters, while the outer line is about 1-2 meters deep, thereby reducing the dolphin’s habitat. Not counting the nutrients that flow with water. As a result, plants grow (eutrophication), thereby accelerating shallowness.”
Dr. Kongkiat said that the increase of intrusive structures such as Sai Nang or shallow water pontoons. It also results in a slowdown in the tides. It can be seen that in 1985 there were only 7,500 saiyans, but now there are about 30,000, while the daily catch statistics are less. This reflected that the amount of food for the dolphins was reduced as well.
Working with the community to restore the Irrawaddy dolphin population
“In terms of conservation work, factors must be taken into account in the community as well. because he had to lose the livelihood area because in fact, people in the community are willing to cooperate But there must be continuous support from the government. Because if we just do it for a year or two and it disappears, it may cause extinction first or take longer to recover. The less the population The hopes of recovery are almost zero.”
Dr. Kongkiat continues that although the stranding and death rates of Irrawaddy dolphins over the past 20 years have mostly come from accidental tying of fishing gear, but in fact, the authorities are cooperating with the villagers. live To try to reduce dolphin mortality, for example, buying trawl nets between the years 50-13, which has significantly reduced mortality statistics.
image source, Sirachai Arunrugstichai / Getty Images
The hope of Irrawaddy dolphins in Thai waters
“When we know the problem We must solve the problem on the spot. in terms of tool modification Build a fish house to add food. watershed forest preservation reducing emissions canal dredging The most important thing is the implementation and implementation of the plan. This is the most important part,” said Dr. Kongkiat.
As part of the policy of conservation of Irrawaddy dolphins can go back from the year
- 1992 declared Irrawaddy dolphins as protected wildlife under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act.
- 2003 pushed the Irrawaddy dolphin to be listed as a CITES listed animal (CITES) or Convention on International Trade. which species of wildlife and wild plants that are endangered which is strictly forbidden to trade
- Since 2007, a protected area for conservation in Songkhla Lake has been established.
- Most recently, on May 12, 2022, the National Maritime Committee accepted an offer to list the Irrawaddy dolphin as a preserved animal.
The solution to this problem will be divided into 4 parts.
part 1 is to determine the area in order to have measures to protect the Irrawaddy dolphins in the lake.
part 2 These are rehabilitation measures such as building fish houses to increase food sources for the dolphins.
part 3 This is a research study that requires long-term solutions such as shallow lakes. For example, in the case of silica lakes, dredging has been done to allow water to flow out of the sea. or about research studies on the decline in aquatic animal diversity pollution contamination and utilization in the lake area
part 4 is to integrate cooperation Raising awareness of working together both the academic department and the public sector
As for the Thai seas, Chalatip added that “Given that dolphin habitats overlap with fishing activities. It is inevitable that accidental catching problems will arise. Therefore, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has an integrated approach to working with communities through volunteer activities to protect the sea. because the fishermen were the ones who were in the area every day. And was it the first to encounter a dolphin incident? Rare sea creatures caught in the net or get sick.”
“We empowered him. For example, train him in first aid before our veterinary team arrives.”
Another part is the application of academic knowledge. such as surveying the area and the adoption of technology to reduce the impact on Irrawaddy dolphins, such as acoustic devices or alerting devices or pingers attached to fishing nets. to warn dolphins not to come near the net which researchers in Asia such as Malaysia and Indonesia The behavior of dolphins in response to noise and the effects of catching are being studied.
“At present, there is an increasing trend of rare marine animals sick. We can study the rare and dead marine animals to look at heavy metal pollutants, microplastics, emerging diseases. To reflect our marine environment, whether it is still fertile or safe. Or is there any toxic substances accumulated in the sea?” Ms. Chalatip said.
“Because the study of marine animals is rare. considered as an indicator One of the ocean environments that humans depend on. And this knowledge will be useful in conserving and preserving our resources.”