KEP: According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on May 29, over 50 saltwater dolphins were spotted off the coast of Kep recently.

Saltwater Irrawaddy dolphins communicate with various sounds around 60 kilohertz. The dolphin is not known for speed, but when threatened can swim up to 20 to 25 kilometers per hour. Its regular diet consists of small fish, shrimp, lobster and squid.

Saltwater Irrawaddy dolphins are also found off the coasts of Koh Rong and the Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary on the country’s western ocean border.

The Irrawaddy dolphin has a round head, 12 to 19 teeth, measures up to 2.75 meters long and weighs up to 200 kilograms. The species is unique in the placement of its blowhole, which allows the Irrawaddy to shoot streams of water up to 1.5 meters from its mouth. The behavior is often used to round up fish. Ecotourism stakeholders hope a resurgence in the dolphin population will help attract more tourists to the area.