Ministry Launches Emergency Plan to Save Last 66 Mahakam Dolphins

RRI.CO.ID, Kutai Kartanegara - The Indonesian Environment Ministry (KLH) has launched an emergency survival plan to save the Mahakam dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) from the brink of extinction as population numbers have reached a devastating low. 

With the species now in a highly critical phase, government officials are pivoting toward aggressive conservation measures and stricter enforcement to protect the few remaining individuals in East Kalimantan.

As reported by Antara, the gravity of the situation was laid bare during a field inspection in Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Rasio Ridho Sani, Deputy for Pollution Control and Environmental Damage at the KLH, revealed that latest monitoring data shows the endemic freshwater mammal’s population has dwindled to an estimated 66 individuals. 

"The government must move seriously. The condition of our dolphins is very concerning because the population now only remains at around 66 individuals," said Rasio following a joint review with the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry.

To strengthen local protection, the government has officially designated two villages in Kutai Kartanegara as "Mahakam Dolphin Conservation Villages," aiming to empower grassroots communities in the fight against habitat loss. This strategic move involves a coalition of stakeholders, including the East Kalimantan Environmental Agency, the Kutai Kartanegara Regency Secretariat, and the  Foundation for Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia (RASI).

Experts attribute the sharp decline to a collision between industrial expansion and ecological preservation. Massive habitat degradation, driven by land conversion and upstream clearing,has been exacerbated by intensive coal mining operations. 

These activities, coupled with heavy river traffic from coal barges, are believed to have compromised water quality and disrupted the critical navigation systems of the dolphins. 

“We must anticipate these various threats comprehensively, whether they stem from corporate activities or community actions along the Mahakam River flow,” emphasized Rasio.

Moving forward, the KLH is calling for a cross-sectoral alliance with transport authorities and local administration to balance economic interests with biological survival. While the government aims to keep the river’s economic arteries open, it has issued a stern warning to those flouting environmental laws. 

"We will take firm legal action, but on the other hand, we will continue to encourage cooperation so that economic activities do not disturb the critical habitat of the dolphins," explained Rasio. ***