Mahakam FreshWater Dolphin Successfully photographed in Balikpapan Bay

A scientist from the Department of Zoology, University of South Bohemia Republic of Chechnya, Stanislav Lhota succeeded in taking photos to proved that the rare Irrawaddy Dolphin Mahakam (Orcaella brevirostris) or it called 'PESUT' in Bahasa, not only live in the Mahakam River, the Mekong River and the River Irawady but also in Balikpapan Bay recently.

The population at the Dolphin Bay approximately 60-140 individuals. "Estuary Tempadung is a very important habitat for the Irrawaddy Dolphin, as the search area and the migration of fish," said Stanislav Lhota in Balikpapan on Monday.

He explained that the process of drilling pipe foundation not only disrupt the Irrawaddy Dolphin jetty, but can also cause permanent damage to their ears.
Pesut Are suggested to locate and capture fish by echolocation (sonar) and if their ears are damaged, they can not find food.

"Therefore, the construction phase of the pier should be obliged to use, bubble jackets 'or, bubble curtain' (bubble curtains) and pesut monitoring program during construction of the port. Curtain bubble serves as a filter significantly reduces noise and interference Irrawaddy Dolphin and fish," he added.

In addition, monitoring Irrawaddy on site installation and pipe piling shall ensure that the operation stopped at any time when the Irrawaddy appears within a radius of 500 m. Attention is also needed so as not to disrupt company operations are suggested during this time.He considered that the ship should not be allowed to enter or leave the dock during the period anticipated through the Island Dolphin Balang and fishing in the Estuary Tempadung.

This photo supports previous research which states that there are also in the Mahakam Dolphin Coast of Balikpapan.The discovery is certainly quite surprising because during this time is known that these animals live in freshwater ecosystems (river) water is not brackish / marine (constellation Conservation Foundation, 2005).

The researchers believe that they found no dolphins, but are suggested to the Mahakam. Character, Mahakam Dolphins have short nose, while the dolphin shaped bottle or long.Mahakam Dolphin is now considered the most endangered animals. IUCN (2002) has given a status of "Critically Endangared" (critically endangered) in this species, while CITES has placed in "Appendix 1", which means this type is not allowed to be traded.

In fact, Mahakam Dolphin remains dibisniskan, which continues to be hunted in the Mahakam River to meet the demand Ancol Amusement Park Manager, and thus more easily seen Pesut Mahakam Jakarta better than in their natural habitat in the Mahakam River, Malinau River and Coastal Balikpapan.In fact, the irony conspicuous place in front of the eyes, some areas in East Kalimantan (Kalimantan Provincial Government, City Government of Samarinda and Kutai regency aquatic mammal), such as competing to build a monument or statue-Irrawaddy to fund hundreds of millions to billions of rupiah, but a real program to preserve these animals, proving that, in some years there are no budget allocations for the Mahakam Dolphin rescue program.

Another mistaken view about the study are suggested by the experts to prove that there is a mistaken assumption that states three major lakes in the inland area as habiat East Kalimantan Mahakam Dolphin.That was the reason that the three large lakes in East Kalimantan, that is Lake Malintang (11 000 ha), Lake Semayang (13 000 ha) and Lake Jempang (15 000 ha) are too shallow for the life of the Mahakam Dolphin.

Even when the drought will be a delta-delta, so that actually more accurately described as a swamp. Meanwhile, Mahakam Dolphin adult can weigh up to 1.5 quintal one can only live in areas that have water depths between 9-12 meters. The greedy behaviors in consuming food, shrimp and fish are not likely available in those swamps.

Daniella Kreb, a researcher from the Netherlands estimates that the populations of mammals that resemble dolphins that live in freshwater in the interior of the Mahakam, account for around 50 cows. The assumption was based on the pattern of occurrence.

Kreb found that the waters of the River Region Kedang Pahu zone is the most preferred because Pesut Mahakam with appropriate water depth, river traffic was not so crowded, low pollution levels and food supplies are still available. In addition to the Coastal Balikpapan, Dolphin is also found in the Mahakam River Sesayap (Kaltim).

Of course the discovery was very significant for conservation efforts are suggested to the Mahakam because during this time there is a common perception that only the three parts of the world, namely the Mahakam River, Irawady River and the Mekong River.

Survey teams from the Kayan Mentarang National Park, East Kalimantan, a few years ago also found habitat Sesayap Irrawaddy River, Tanah Tidung for the first time. Head TNKM Hall, who led the survey IGNN Sutedja declared his team managed to record seven tails Irrawaddy Dolphin in the form of photos and video at 10 to 12 January 2008.

He stated when the predecessor survey in August 2007 saw the emergence of about 11 tails are suggested to the Mahakam.The first recording was made at 10:11 pm during the survey in the upstream, when team members see the emergence of young Pesut Mahakam river surfaced and made two small leap so that only the dorsal fin and the top is successfully recorded. While six other tail recorded in the lower reaches at around 16:10 pm.

The existence of freshwater dolphin in Sesayap River has been known by local people since long. They call it by name "Lamud" which means dolphin in Tidung Tribe.In fact, people already know Irrawaddy Tidung as a legend. According to the story of H Mustofa, community leaders in District Tidung Sesayap, Lamud are human beings who become "fish" (actually a species of fish but not mammals).

Myth or legend about the Mahakam Dolphin comes from human beings who are commanded to seek the king's favorite gold ring that fell to the bottom of the river to rescue Lumud for hundreds of years ago.