Grim reality: Myanmar’s ‘smiling’ Irrawaddy dolphins on brink of extinction

By HT Correspondent

Updated On Jan 17, 2017 05:05 pm IST

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This photo taken on November 23, 2016 shows a fisherman cleaning his net near the Irrawaddy river in Mandalay. Loved for generations for corralling the catch into fishermen's nets, the 'smiling' Irrawaddy dolphins are being killed in record numbers by rogue gangs who use car batteries to stun aquatic life. The illegal technique now threatens to wipe out the dolphins and the tourist bonanza they promise. (Ye Aung Thu/AFP)

Updated on Jan 17, 2017 05:05 pm IST

This photo taken on November 23, 2016 shows a fisherman cleaning his net near the Irrawaddy river in Mandalay. Loved for generations for corralling the catch into fishermen's nets, the 'smiling' Irrawaddy dolphins are being killed in record numbers by rogue gangs who use car batteries to stun aquatic life. The illegal technique now threatens to wipe out the dolphins and the tourist bonanza they promise. (Ye Aung Thu/AFP)

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This handout from the Wildlife Conservation Society taken on January 26, 2013 shows Irrawaddy dolphins swimming in the Irrawaddy river near Mandalay. Maung Lay’s dolphin, known as Thar Gyi Ma, was found washed up on the banks of the river in November. When locals cut her body open, they found she was pregnant. (AFP PHOTO / Wildlife Conservation Society / Handout )

Updated on Jan 17, 2017 05:05 pm IST

This handout from the Wildlife Conservation Society taken on January 26, 2013 shows Irrawaddy dolphins swimming in the Irrawaddy river near Mandalay. Maung Lay’s dolphin, known as Thar Gyi Ma, was found washed up on the banks of the river in November. When locals cut her body open, they found she was pregnant. (AFP PHOTO / Wildlife Conservation Society / Handout )

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This photo taken on November 23, 2016 shows People travelling in the Irrawaddy river near Mandalay. Irrawaddy dolphins can be found in rivers, lakes and seas across southern Asia, from the northwest Bay of Bengal, in India, to the south of Indonesia. Fishermen say the greatest danger comes from rogue gangs who are wiping out river life in their quest for easy money. (Ye Aung Thu/AFP)

Updated on Jan 17, 2017 05:05 pm IST

This photo taken on November 23, 2016 shows People travelling in the Irrawaddy river near Mandalay. Irrawaddy dolphins can be found in rivers, lakes and seas across southern Asia, from the northwest Bay of Bengal, in India, to the south of Indonesia. Fishermen say the greatest danger comes from rogue gangs who are wiping out river life in their quest for easy money. (Ye Aung Thu/AFP)

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This photo taken on November 23, 2016 shows people going about their activities along the Irrawaddy river near Mandalay. On this stretch of river in Myanmar the animals have developed a deep bond with local fishermen, who they work with in a generations-old partnership that has become the stuff of local folklore. (Ye Aung Thu/AFP)

Updated on Jan 17, 2017 05:05 pm IST

This photo taken on November 23, 2016 shows people going about their activities along the Irrawaddy river near Mandalay. On this stretch of river in Myanmar the animals have developed a deep bond with local fishermen, who they work with in a generations-old partnership that has become the stuff of local folklore. (Ye Aung Thu/AFP)

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This photo taken on November 23, 2016 shows a bullock cart driver hauling a log from the Irrawaddy river near Mandalay.Initially these electro-fishermen used small batteries attached to wire wound around bamboo poles to shock fish within a close radius. Now locals say they have moved on to using car batteries, high-voltage transformers and trawling nets. (Ye Aung Thu/AFP)

Updated on Jan 17, 2017 05:05 pm IST

This photo taken on November 23, 2016 shows a bullock cart driver hauling a log from the Irrawaddy river near Mandalay.Initially these electro-fishermen used small batteries attached to wire wound around bamboo poles to shock fish within a close radius. Now locals say they have moved on to using car batteries, high-voltage transformers and trawling nets. (Ye Aung Thu/AFP)

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This handout from the Wildlife Conservation Society taken on September 9, 2016 shows an Irrawaddy dolphin jumping in the Irrawaddy river near Mandalay. With careful choreography, locals call the animals using a throaty purr, splashing their oars and tapping on the side of the boat. (AFP PHOTO / Wildlife Conservation Society / Handout )

Updated on Jan 17, 2017 05:05 pm IST

This handout from the Wildlife Conservation Society taken on September 9, 2016 shows an Irrawaddy dolphin jumping in the Irrawaddy river near Mandalay. With careful choreography, locals call the animals using a throaty purr, splashing their oars and tapping on the side of the boat. (AFP PHOTO / Wildlife Conservation Society / Handout )

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This photo taken on November 23, 2016 shows people using boats to travel over the Irrawaddy river near Mandalay. For Irrawaddy locals, losing the dolphins is not just about destroying traditions from their past -- it threatens their future. With fish stocks plummeting there are hopes ecotourism will prove a lifeline to bolster meagre incomes. (Ye Aung Thu/AFP)

Updated on Jan 17, 2017 05:05 pm IST

This photo taken on November 23, 2016 shows people using boats to travel over the Irrawaddy river near Mandalay. For Irrawaddy locals, losing the dolphins is not just about destroying traditions from their past -- it threatens their future. With fish stocks plummeting there are hopes ecotourism will prove a lifeline to bolster meagre incomes. (Ye Aung Thu/AFP)

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