Ayeyarwady dolphin dies from head injury
Source: Myanmar Times
Date: 15 January, 2018
An Ayeyarwady dolphin, an endangered species, died from a head injury last Wednesday near Aung Chan Thar village in Katha township, Sagaing Region.
"The dolphin was a male. There was a hole in the dolphin's head with a stick inside. We are investigating the cause of death.
"Villagers found it washed ashore in the river," said U Aung Ko Latt, deputy chief officer of Katha township's Fishery Department.
The seven-foot-long dolphin with a girth of 4 feet 4 inches was found in the conservation area, according to the department.
"Dolphins die often and we should protect them urgently by setting protected areas. They are endangered by the poachers," said U Maung Lay, leader of the Ayeyarwady dolphin protection and fishermen organisation.
This is the first time an Ayeyarwady dolphin died this year. Three died in previous year – one in Myit Kan Gyi village, Singu township on April 28, another near Thone Se Pe village in Madaya township on June 21 and the last near Kyauk Pon village of Katha district in December.
Currently, the Wildlife Conservation Society Myanmar (WCS) is planning to expand the Ayeyarwady dolphin's protected area and will report to the fishery department in February next year, said U Kyaw Thein Hla, who is in charge of WCS's dolphin protection. There are about 60 dolphins left in the Ayeyarwady River.
