AKP Phnom Penh, August 20, 2025 -- The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and its Fisheries Administration will launch a high-tech conservation initiative for Mekong River dolphins in the Kampi area of Kratie province starting early 2026.

Undersecretary of State H.E. Ms. Im Rachana announced the plan during a visit to Kampi River on Aug. 19, where she met with local rangers, noting that the initiative will utilise automatic cameras and drones to monitor dolphin activity and protect their habitat.

The initiative will be carried out in close collaboration with WWF-Cambodia and the Institute of Hydrology (IHB) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The remote monitoring system that integrates advanced surveillance tools is designed to track the daily movements of dolphins and detect illegal fishing activities within the conservation zone to further strengthen enforcement and ensure a safer environment for the critically endangered species.

The Fisheries Administration was inspired to adopt this approach following a study tour to Wuhan, China, in June, where officials observed successful freshwater dolphin conservation strategies.

H.E. Ms. Im Rachana emphasised that the initiative not only reinforces Cambodia’s commitment to dolphin conservation but also equips Kampi River rangers with new technical skills and ecological knowledge.

This capacity-building effort is expected to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their work on the ground.

Article in Khmer by Rithy
Article in English by C. Nika