Ever wonder what a narwal might look like without it's distinctive horn?
Well, it would look something like a porpoise, but also like an Irrawaddy River Dolphin!
Now, how could you not love that face?
These docile creatures are a rare but delightful sighting along the Irawaddy River, which flows some 1,300 miles through Myanamr (Burma). They have expressive faces and are friendly, if shy.
While they are named for the Irrawaddy specifically, populations of "Orcaella brevirostris", to use the scientific name, are also found in the Mekong and Ganges.
The Irrawaddy River Dolphin is sadly an engangered species, however tourism in the Irrawaddy regions has gone a long way to helping reverse the trend. Tourism dollars go toward conservation efforts, as well as provide education on preserving the natural habitats for these and other species.
