• Burmese
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
27 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Myanmar Conservationists Slam Moves for Endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin’s Captive Breeding

Zarni Mann by Zarni Mann
July 17, 2020
in News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
The Irrawaddy dolphin in the Irrawaddy during February’s survey. / WCS Myanmar

The Irrawaddy dolphin in the Irrawaddy during February’s survey. / WCS Myanmar

7.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Mandalay – Myanmar’s approval of the gravely endangered Irrawaddy dolphin for captive commercial breeding has prompted condemnation from wildlife conservationists.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Conservation’s Forestry Department ordered last month that 90 protected species, including the tiger, red panda, clouded leopard, pangolin and snub-nosed monkey, be made available for captive commercial breeding.

The Forestry Department said the endangered species can be commercialized through being displayed at zoos, hotels and for ecotourism in compliance with the 1994 Conservation of Biodiversity and Protected Areas Law.

RelatedPosts

An Irrawaddy Dolphin in the Irrawaddy River in upper Myanmar. / WCS

Survey Finds Decade-High Numbers of Irrawaddy Dolphins

February 24, 2020
5.9k
A male dolphin that was found dead on Jan. 7. / WCS

Giant Myanmar Irrawaddy Dolphin Died of Old Age: Environmentalists

January 9, 2020
6.3k
Local fishermen on the Irrawaddy River wait for the dolphin to direct them to a bigger catch. / The Irrawaddy

Endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin Population Decreases Further

May 6, 2019
8.3k

The order allows the dolphins to be kept and bred in zoos.

It also allows species like the sambhur and barking deer, crocodiles and silver pheasant to be bred for meat and traditional medicine. Conservation campaigners say the wildlife trade will increase as a result.

A pangolin in one of Myanmar’s forests. / WCS Myanmar

The conservation and protected areas law says it aims to conserve endangered wildlife, natural habitat and ecosystems. It has, however, drawn criticism from conservation activists.

“The captive breeding of the Irrawaddy dolphin would not be easy as with other species, due to the breeding opportunities in Myanmar, their nature and habitation,” said U Kyaw Hla Thein, the project coordinator of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)’s Irrawaddy dolphin conservation team.

Myanmar has a population of 79 Irrawaddy dolphins, the WCS reported in February. However, between March and early July, at least four dolphins, including a calf, died due to electro-fishing, the major threat to the species.

They are named after the river where they live.

A month-old female dolphin calf found dead on June 29 in the Irrawaddy in Myittha Township in Mandalay Region. / WCS Myanmar

The dolphins are known for their unique nature and “cooperative fishing” with residents where the dolphins gathered fish and signal where nets should be cast.

The WCS welcomed the proposals for ecotourism, based on community-based dolphin watch tour packages. It said the move could promote education in the community and understanding of cooperative fishing, which is seen as unique to Myanmar.

“Putting dolphins in a small zoo pond is not a good idea. We have breeding projects for the star tortoise. The nature of the tortoise allows captive breeding and we can send them back to the wild. But dolphins are not the same,” U Kyaw Hla Thein added. “The dolphins should be allowed to survive in the wild.”

The group also criticized plans for captive commercial breeding because of the inability of the authorities to enforce the law and control the wildlife trade.

U Win Myo Thu, the director of EcoDev (Economically Progressive Ecosystem Development), said: “Captive breeding could increase populations, allow species to be researched and boost education. However, if the government does not set concrete regulations, we worry the plan will encourage wildlife trading.”

Without restrictions on trading wild animals and their body parts, campaigners said demand for wild meat and body parts for traditional medicine might increase.

An elephant camp in Chin State in December 2019. /: Htet Wai / The Irrawaddy

“We are worried the private sector might misuse the orders and develop private zoos and hotels, breed wildlife and illegally trade wildlife because there are many legal loopholes and weaknesses,” U Win Myo Thu added.

Activists said the plans will not encourage the conservation of endangered species.

U Thaw Phyo Shwe, the field coordinator of the Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (Banca), said: “We do not encourage this plan.”

He said the government plans may limit the numbers of wild animals that can be seized.

“But this will impact the environment and the habitat of the animals and mislead conservation efforts,” he said.

A WWF and Flora and Fauna International joint statement expressed concern for the commercial breeding of 90 species, some of which are globally endangered.

The statement said experience elsewhere in Asean showed commercial breeding of wildlife was extremely difficult to regulate and rarely boosted conservation efforts.

An Irrawaddy dolphin uses its tail to signal to where fishing crews should cast their nets. / WCS Myanmar

“Some commercial trading has been shown to increase the illegal trade in wildlife, particularly in high value and critically endangered species, by encouraging a parallel market and boosting overall demand for wild animal products. Commercial wildlife breeding and trade can also increase the risk of disease spillover from wildlife to humans, such as COVID-19,” the statement said.

Conservationists in Myanmar told The Irrawaddy that the plan to commercialize breeding and show off wild animals needed to be reviewed, calling for the removal of endangered species like the Irrawaddy dolphin, tigers, red panda and Gurney’s pitta, a species of hornbills, and to look for an alternate way to protect them.

“Wildlife should be in the wild. Putting them in a zoo is not the solution,” said U Thaw Phyo Shwe of Banca.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Irrawaddy Dolphin
Zarni Mann

Zarni Mann

The Irrawaddy

Similar Picks:

An Irrawaddy Dolphin in the Irrawaddy River in upper Myanmar. / WCS
Burma

Survey Finds Decade-High Numbers of Irrawaddy Dolphins

by Zarni Mann
February 24, 2020
5.9k

Despite a decade-high number, there are challenges like electro-fishing, poor water quality and food supplies for the Irrawaddy dolphin.

Read moreDetails
A male dolphin that was found dead on Jan. 7. / WCS
Burma

Giant Myanmar Irrawaddy Dolphin Died of Old Age: Environmentalists

by DE HLAING WIN
January 9, 2020
6.3k

Activists and residents disagree about whether an Irrawaddy dolphin found dead in Mandalay Region this week was killed by electrofishing.

Read moreDetails
Local fishermen on the Irrawaddy River wait for the dolphin to direct them to a bigger catch. / The Irrawaddy
Burma

Endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin Population Decreases Further

by Zarni Mann
May 6, 2019
8.3k

The death, likely caused by electro-fishing or pollution, brings the population of the endangered species of dolphins down to 71.

Read moreDetails
A 30-year-old Irrawaddy dolphin found in Madaya Township. / WCS / Facebook
Burma

Dead Irrawaddy Dolphin Found in Mandalay Region

by Zarni Mann
June 23, 2017
7.3k

The 30-year-old male is believed to have died of natural causes, bringing the estimated population in the Irrawaddy protection zone...

Read moreDetails
The body of a pregnant dolphin washes up on the banks of the Irrawaddy River in Sagaing Division. / Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation Team / Facebook
Burma

Irrawaddy Dolphin Victim of Electric Shock Fishing

by San Yamin Aung
November 18, 2016
7.1k

The third river dolphin to be found dead this year highlights problem of electric shock fishing on the Irrawaddy River.

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
--

Myanmar’s 1988 Uprising Leaders Found New Party, Rally Voters of All Ages

--

Irrawaddy Business Roundup

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

5 days ago
1.2k
China’s Surveillance State Watches Everyone, Everywhere

China’s Surveillance State Watches Everyone, Everywhere

7 days ago
1.1k

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta’s ‘Living Fence’ on Thai Border Falls to Karen Resistance

    Myanmar Junta’s ‘Living Fence’ on Thai Border Falls to Karen Resistance

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • ‘Las Vegas in Laos’: the Riverside City Awash With Crime

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Launches Space Agency With Russian Help

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • TNLA Invites Investment in Ruby and Mineral Towns Amid Myanmar Junta Onslaught

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Chief Thanks Trump for Shutting Down VOA and RFA

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.