The estimate of less than 80 individuals remaining in the Mekong River is a drastic drop from the several thousands of Irrawaddy Dolphins present in the 1960s. Research has shown that the population is slowly declining, with an unsustainably high mortality rate – an average of one Irrawaddy Dolphin per month have died in the last decade. Recognised as Critically Endangered, the Irrawaddy Dolphin population is at the greatest risk of rapid extinction.

The protection of the Irrawaddy dolphin is crucial for the overall health of the Mekong River—home to an estimated 1,100 species of fish. They are an important indicator of the management of the freshwater resources, and this decline could indicate a potential significant deterioration in the health of the Mekong River ecosystem. Of great cultural significance to the local communities, the Irrawaddy dolphin is also regarded as a sacred animal by the locals, and is a key source of income and jobs for communities involved in dolphin-watching ecotourism. Dolphin-watching tours are a major contributor to economic growth in Mekong. Known as the “smiling face of the Mekong”, the Irrawaddy Dolphin symbolizes the magnificence of Mekong, and its continued relatively high biodiversity.