Vulnerability of the Irrawaddy Dolphin

(Orcaella brevirostrisElena ) By: Alyssa Updegraff University of South Florida St. Petersburg Animal Behavior ZOO 4513

Introduction Methods Bibliography Results Cetaceans are marine mammals with 89 living species that include 1. Stacey, P. J., & Leatherwood, S. (1997). The Compared to other cetaceans, Data were collected on Irrawaddy dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris: a summary of dolphins, porpoises and whales. current knowledge and recommendations for Irrawaddy dolphins are below Cetaceans are subdivided into Irrawaddy dolphins from conservation action. Asian Marine Biology, 14, 195- average in length and have a research conducted through 214. two parvorders based on the 2. Baird, I. G., & Mounsouphom, B. (1994). Irrawaddy lifespan of 30 years. Irrawaddy presence or absence of teeth; graduate student of USFSP dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) in southern Lao PDR dolphins hunt in groups of and northeastern Cambodia. Natural History Bulletin of Odontoceti, toothed whales, and and Dr. Cassill, online the Siam Society, 42(2), 159-175. approximately 7 individuals, Mysticeti, baleen whales. sources including scholarly 3. Huang, S. L., Chou, L. S., Shih, N. T., & Ni, I. H. hunting micro-prey and medium (2011). Implication of life history strategies for prenatal Cetaceans have an unusual papers from peer-reviewed investment in cetaceans. Marine Mammal sized prey ranging from 00 kg longevity compared to other Science, 27(1), 182-194. to 10 kg in weight including journals, Wikipedia, research 4.Mann, J., Connor, R. C., Tyack, P. L., & Whitehead, higher mammals. Cetaceans are labs and institutions such as H. (Eds.). (2000). Cetacean societies: field studies of cephalopods, fish and placental, finned, aquatic dolphins and whales. University of Chicago Press. crustaceans. The mean female IUCN. Data were analyzed 5. Beasley, I. L. (2007). Conservation of the Irrawaddy mammals known to have well- using JMP Statistical dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris (Owen in Gray, 1866) in length is 2.35 meters. The developed senses and the Mekong River: biological and social considerations average age at sexual maturity Software (15.0). influencing management (Doctoral dissertation, James streamlined bodies. Cetaceans Cook University). is 8 years. Although Irrawaddy are regarded to be highly social dolphins have a long gestation animals, interacting in areas of period (14 months) and a long high biological activity and lactation period (18 months), resources. Female cetaceans they meet the average number typically give birth seasonally and of offspring per lifetime, 8 bear nearly all responsibility for offspring. raising the calf. Cetaceans provide extensive maternal care, Conclusion with lengthy lactation periods as well as extensive prenatal and The Irrawaddy dolphin conservation postnatal care of offspring. In status is vulnerable. Irrawaddy dolphins this study, we analyzed have a lower ability to recover and have cetacean vulnerability by a moderate vulnerability to disaster due studying the maternal to the low number of offspring per investments and life history female, the long period between births, the long lactation period, and a later age traits that are involved in of sexual maturity. Irrawaddy dolphins cetaceans as a group, with an are vulnerable due to environmental and emphasis on the Irrawaddy human factors as well. These factors dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris). include hunting, habitat pollution, and destructive fishing practices.