THAILAND is stepping up efforts to protect the last remaining Irrawaddy dolphins living in Songkhla Lake.
In 2020, only 14 dolphins were found in Thailand’s largest natural lake while another 89 were found in the Mekong River.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature categorizes dolphins as vulnerable species.
Environmentalists urged the government to consider the impact of the bridge project on critically endangered aquatic mammals before starting construction.
The project aims to ease transportation for residents and has received support from international investors.
In January, dolphin experts from international organizations met with local agencies at the World Bank office in Bangkok to discuss ways how to step-up efforts in protecting the last freshwater dolphins in Thailand.
Although funding is available, the future of the project is uncertain as international investors worry about the potential risks the bridge may cause to critically endangered mammals.
