The last pod of 14 Irrawaddy dolphins in Songkhla Lake in southern Thailand could become extinct within eight years if a conservation plan is not implemented immediately, says the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.
Pornsri Suthanaruk, the department's deputy chief, told the Bangkok Post the number of dolphins has been declining over the past 30 years due to the widespread use of large fishing nets, causing about 60% of the dolphin fatalities.
