Ailing Irrawaddy Dolphin Recovers Gradually with Nourishing Tube-Feeding and Assistance from Many Individuals

As habitat loss and human activities continue to cause the extinction of many species, the delicate balance of biodiversity is threatened, posing a serious risk to human survival. Recognizing the gravity of this situation, many people are now working to aid struggling animal populations and prevent further loss of biodiversity.

In July 2022, a feeble Irrawaddy dolphin calf was discovered by a fisherman near the coast of Thailand, struggling to swim and in need of urgent medical attention. The fisherman promptly contacted marine conservationists for guidance on caring for the calf while awaiting the arrival of the rescue team.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the population of dolphins has significantly declined due to pollution, habitat loss, and bycatching, making them one of the vulnerable species. Irrawaddy dolphins are known to inhabit three rivers in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Indonesia, as well as the shallow coastal waters of South and Southeast Asia. A marine research institute estimates that there are roughly 400 Irrawaddy dolphins residing on Thailand’s eastern coast that borders Cambodia.

After rescuing the young dolphin, the rescuers transported it to a facility located in Rayong on the Gulf of Thailand, where they named it Paradon, which translates to “brotherly burden” in honor of the challenging rescue effort. At the time of the rescue, the dolphin weighed only around 27 kilograms (59 pounds) and measured approximately 138 centimeters (4.5 feet) in length.

Fortunately, numerous volunteers and veterinarians offered their assistance in caring for Paradon. They housed the dolphin in a saltwater pool, administered treatment for its lung infection, and provided around-the-clock care and attention.

“We said among ourselves that the chance of him surviving was quite low, judging from his condition,” Thanaphan Chomchuen, a vet at the center, shared.

Initially, the volunteers had to feed the baby dolphin milk through a tube until it was strong enough to consume it from a bottle. Despite being fed every 20 minutes, Paradon remained weak due to insufficient milk intake.

“He does not eat enough but rather just wants to play. I am worried that he does not receive enough nutrition,” Thippunyar Thipjuntar, a 32-year-old volunteer said.

The woman developed an affection for the dolphin, appreciating its round face and lips that appeared to form a smile. Hence, she was concerned about his condition: “When you invest your time, physical effort, mental attention, and money to come here to be a volunteer, of course, you wish that he would grow strong and survive.”

The director of the marine center, Sumana Kajonwattanakul, stated that Paradon would only be deemed ready for release back into the ocean once it was capable of foraging for food independently. To ensure its readiness, the dolphin required long-term care for approximately one year. “If we just release him when he gets better, the problem is that he won’t be able to have milk. We will have to take care of him until he has his teeth, then we must train him to eat fish, and be part of a pod. This will take quite some time,” Sumana said.

According to the veterinarian, Thanaphan, all the efforts invested in rescuing and rehabilitating Paradon were meaningful and justified. “If we can save one dolphin, this will help our knowledge, as there have not been many successful cases in treating this type of animal.”

“If we can save him and he survives, we will have learned so much from this. Secondly, I think by saving him, giving him a chance to live, we also raise awareness about the conservation of this species of animal, which are rare, with not many left,” he added.

Image Sources: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit