According to U Maung Lay, a spokesperson for the Ayeyarwady Dolphin Conservation and Cooperative Fishermen Association, officials are trying to determine the cause of death.

Speaking to the media on Monday, he said, “We found the dead dolphin on April 28 with serious injuries. Officials are determining the cause of death. This is the first death of this species this year. It is very sad as it is rare,” he said.

The dolphin was found near Myit Kan Gyi village, Singu township, in the Ayeyarwady Dolphins Conservation Zone on April 28 without its tail.

“We are investigating the reasons for the dolphin’s death. We cannot comment yet as the probe is ongoing,” an official of the conservation society said.

“Although the Ayeyarwady dolphin conservation program is being carried out with the cooperation of the authorities, many dolphins die annually because of illegal fishing,” he said.

According to a 10-day survey of Ayeyarwady dolphins that was carried out from February 6 to 15 by the Fisheries Department and Myanmar Wildlife Conservation Society, there are more than 73 dolphins in the Ayeyarwady River before this dolphin’s death.

– Translation by Khine Thazin Han