Facts about Sarawak Dolphin

1. 08

   Murky river conditions in the Rajang have led Sarawak's Irrawaddy dolphins to develop larger dorsal fins relative to body size compared to ocean populations, enhancing stability in complex freshwater currents.

   Sarawak DolphinMay 14shareanatomyadaptationfreshwater
2. 07

   Sarawak's Irrawaddy dolphins communicate with each other through a series of whistles and clicks that vary in pattern depending on social context and feeding behavior.

   Sarawak DolphinMay 14sharebehaviorcommunicationbiology
3. 06

   Conservation efforts in Sarawak since 2005 have established protected zones along the Rajang River to reduce boat traffic and fishing activities that endanger the remaining Irrawaddy dolphin population.

   Sarawak DolphinMay 14shareconservationgeographythreat-mitigation
4. 05

   Irrawaddy dolphins in Sarawak exhibit distinctive rounded heads and lack a pronounced beak, distinguishing them from oceanic dolphin species found in adjacent waters.

   Sarawak DolphinMay 14sharebiologymorphologyidentification
5. 04

   The Rajang River population of Irrawaddy dolphins faces severe threats from fishing nets, with gillnets being the leading cause of accidental drowning deaths among these critically endangered cetaceans.

   Sarawak DolphinMay 14shareconservationbehaviorthreats
6. 03

   Sarawak's Irrawaddy dolphins are smaller than their ocean-dwelling counterparts, with adults reaching only 2 to 2.75 meters in length.

   Sarawak DolphinMay 14sharebiologymeasurementendangered
7. 02

   Irrawaddy dolphins in Sarawak's Rajang River produce echolocation clicks at frequencies between 40 and 130 kilohertz to navigate murky freshwater environments.

   Sarawak DolphinMay 14sharebiologybehaviorsensory
8. 01

   Fewer than 150 Irrawaddy dolphins inhabit the Rajang River in Sarawak, making this freshwater population one of the world's most critically endangered marine mammals.

   Sarawak DolphinMay 14shareconservationbiologymeasurement