Marine biologists are working on an artificial breeding programme to boost the Irrawaddy dolphin population in Songkhla lake.
According to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), there are only 30 dolphins in the 400 sqm fresh water lake in Songkhla province.
The estimated peak population in the lake was about 100.
The dolphins are threatened by illegal fishing, deteriorating water quality and sedimentation which has made the lake shallower.
The dwindling population has also led to in breeding which has weakened the dolphins' genetic development, Somchai Monanunsap, director of the DMCR’s Songkhla centre, said.
He said the DMCR has launched an artificial insemination programme to increase the population of the species and improve its genetic stock.