YANGON, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Three Irrawaddy dolphin calves have been spotted recently in central Myanmar's Ayeyarwady River, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Friday.
The new dolphin calves were seen by two fishermen who have been fishing in the Ayeyarwady River between Mandalay and Kyaukmyaung on Dec. 21, the report said.
One of the dolphins was about 1.5 feet in length, and two others were about three feet each in length, it said.
U Han Win, an official from the country's Department of Fisheries, told Xinhua on Friday that their records indicate that the annual birth rate of dolphins in Myanmar ranges from three to 10.
The area between Mandalay and Kyaukmyaung, where the dolphin calves were found, is one of the two primary dolphin conservation areas in Myanmar, he said, adding that the fisheries department was also raising awareness and education on dolphin conservation.
In Myanmar, Irrawaddy dolphins are found not only in the Ayeyarwady River but also in coastal areas such as Bogale township, Rakhine and Tanintharyi, he said.
It is estimated that there is an Irrawaddy dolphin population of about 300 to 400 in Myanmar, he said.
The Irrawaddy dolphins have been listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species since 2004. ■