The Irrawaddy river dolphin, Cambodia’s living national treasure, is as beautiful as it is rare. Critically endangered in the Mekong River, these creatures face deadly threats like habitat loss and illegal fishing. Accidental entanglement in gillnets is a constant danger for Irrawaddy dolphins. We share a collective responsibility to protect dolphins today to help them thrive tomorrow.

Hearing the call to take action, seven courageous individuals decided to take on a daring challenge: swim a 120km relay down the Mekong River to raise critical funds and awareness for Irrawaddy dolphins. From 17–20 March 2025, the group traversed Cambodia’s only river dolphin habitat, beginning in Stung Treng province and ending in Kratie province. This journey is the first of its kind, requiring swimmers to brave strong currents, unpredictable weather and dangerous gillnets.

Conservation scientists and dolphin enthusiasts from the US, UK and Namibia dove headfirst into their swimming campaign. Two kayakers guided their each swimmer’s path while a support team monitored safety conditions. After long days in the water, the group camped on the riverbanks or stayed with nearby communities.

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