A local initiative, the S.E.A Aquarium and Dolphin Island collaborated with Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and Chulalongkorn University to assess the total number of Irrawaddy Dolphins in the Songkhla Lake in Thailand. The aim of this project is to define an effective and sustainable conservation plan and strategy to maintain and eventually improve the population number using the information gained. This new project was commenced in December 2014.

This project is a week-long rapid population assessment of the Irrawaddy Dolphins through aerial and boat surveys. Over the 5 days, the project team will conduct interviews with the locals, to gather information to assist the project by providing both historic and current information.

To allow members of the public to follow up with the project team on this research trip and keep them in the loop with the findings, their expedition to the Songkhla Lake was featured on the S.E.A Aquarium and Dolphin Island website. The blog was updated every day with pictures to report their itinerary, route and Irrawaddy Dolphin sightings.

The second phase of the project is currently in progress. Find out more about Save The Irrawaddy Dolphin Project here: http://seaa.rwsentosablog.com/irrawaddy-dolphin-conservation/.