Rasi Urges Government to Build Conservation Zone for Irrawaddy Dolphins

Samarinda, E Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - A conservation organization Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia (RASI) has urged the government to set up a conservation zone for Mahakam Irrawaddy dolphins, following the death of another dolphin after being trapped in a fishing net.

"We hope that a conservation zone for Mahakam Irrawaddy dolphins could be set soon and legally supported with a local regulation in Kutai Kartanegara district," a researcher of RASI Danielle Kreb told Antara here on Thursday.

According to Kreb, RASI had proposed the construction of a conservation zone for the smiling dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) to the Kutai Kartanegara administration two years ago.

"In 2015, we proposed the construction of a conservation zone for Mahakam Irrawaddy dolphins but it failed to materialize during that time," she stated.

However, the authority has evaluated RASI`s proposal on the conservation zone, and it is expected to take a decision on the zone in May.

The organization would also persuade villagers to accept the proposal to convert some parts of their villages to a conservation zone for the endangered species.

RASI has proposed a 43-hectare area as the conservation zone.

The dolphin population has shrunk rapidly to only 75 in 2017. In 2016, five dolphins were found dead after being trapped in fishing nets. (*)