THE DOLPHIN SWIM 17–20 MARCH 2025
We did it!
After four days of swimming relays and visits to nearby communities, the Mekong Dolphin Swim team safely finished their 120 km journey down Cambodia’s Irrawaddy river dolphin habitat on Thursday, 20 March 2025.
The inspiring global campaign successfully raised over US$20,000 for dolphin conservation efforts, which will support WWF-Cambodia’s River Guard Programme, critical research into bycatch mitigation and more. The group of global conservationists and their support team also received overwhelming local support for their efforts from government representatives, NGO partners and locals. River island communities in Koh P’dao and Koh Prumacharey pledged to remove gillnets after meeting the swimmers, and provincial governors announced further legal protections of dolphin habitat.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Mekong Dolphin Swim and its rippling impact on conservation via this website and our social media channels.
The Dolphin Swim is a physically demanding and extraordinary relay challenge designed to raise essential funds for the conservation of Cambodia’s critically endangered Irrawaddy river dolphins. Along the way, the support team will document dolphin sightings and collect litter and old fishing nets that endanger this population under threat.
What is the Dolphin Swim?
4
DAYS
120
KM
17.03.2025–20.03.2025
_edi.jpg)
The
Dolphin Swim
Route
A dedicated team of swimmers, including conservationists and scientists from around the world, will take on the treacherous currents of the Mekong River, covering 120km from Stung Treng to Kratie at the heart of the Mekong dolphins' shrinking habitat. With only a boat and kayaks for support, this daring expedition highlights the urgency of the mission and the swimmers' unwavering commitment.
The
Challenges
To ensure the swimmers' safety as they tackle these challenges, a support team in kayaks will monitor the swim and step in when necessary.
Environmental Hazards:
The Mekong River, known for its murky, unpredictable waters and strong currents, makes navigation challenging and intensifies the physical demands on the swimmers.
Wildlife Interaction:
During the swim, swimmers may unintentionally disrupt the habitats of animals living in the river. Encounters with wildlife, including fish and potentially aggressive species, could also present risks.
Distance and Endurance:
The 120km swim demands extensive training and endurance. Prolonged hours in the water can lead to fatigue and, under challenging conditions, even hypothermia.
Plastic Pollution:
Just like the Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong, swimmers in the river will have to contend with the growing problem of plastic pollution.
Why should you support the Dolphin Swim?
Your donation, no matter the amount, will make a real difference in the fight to save Cambodia’s dolphins. The swim team is ready to push their limits for this cause—will you join them in safeguarding one of the world’s most endangered populations?
*Donations from the US to the Dolphin Swim are tax-deductible
under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) population in the Mekong River is teetering on the edge of extinction, with fewer than 100 individuals remaining. The greatest threat to their survival is fisheries bycatch, as well as entanglement, and immediate action is critical to implement life-saving bycatch reduction strategies before it’s too late.
By supporting the Dolphin Swim, you can make a direct impact in saving this iconic species. All funds raised will go towards:
Strengthening WWF Cambodia's Mekong River Guard Programme, where dedicated river guards tirelessly combat illegal fishing in the dolphins’ core habitat.
GO UP
"Asa river dolphin researcher in Cambodia, I’ve always felt passionate about protecting these inspiring animals. I spend long days on the Mekong River studying their behaviour and mitigating threats to their well-being.
Whenever I see a newborn calf in the water, I envision a future where they can safely grow up, and human communities value and protect them as important parts of our world. I’d like to call people to join me in this vision and help protect this precious creature.”
Sam Un Eam,
Head of the Mekong Flooded Forest Landscape at WWF-Cambodia
Photo Credit © WWF-Belgium / Catherine Renard