Dolphins on the Irrawaddy River: Photo courtesy of Paul Eshoo – Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project
On this episode of Talk Travel Asia Podcast, we chat with Paul Eshoo about the exotic Irrawaddy Dolphins: which live in rivers across Southeast Asia, including Myanmar, where today’s guest works with the Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project.
Humans are making a dramatically increased impact on our environment and potentially destroying what makes it great. Sometimes tourism and conservation efforts intersect, helping to create win-win situations for visitors and locals in-destination, or in the case of this episode, the mammals. Today we’ll chat with Paul Eshoo, an environmentalist who has been living and working in Asia for many years, about the Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project, which aims to protect Myanmar’s Irrawaddy dolphins.
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Fisherman slap water to attract Irrawaddy dolphins in Myanmar, courtesy of Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project on Talk Travel Asia Podcast
Scott & Trevor banter about their experience with Irrawaddy Dolphins in Asia.
Trevor: I was recently in Kratie, Cambodia which is near one of three communities of dolphins living in the Mekong River. (Trevor talks a bit about seeing dolphins in Cambodia over the years).
Scott: I’ve never seen any dolphins in rivers in Asia, but was very near them along the Laos – Cambodia border on the Mekong River in 2018, but didn’t take a boat trip out to see them, but really want to.
Guest Intro: Our guest is Paul Eshoo, an American who also chatted with us on Episode 34. He originally came to Asia with the Peace Corps to work in Nepal, then moved to Laos to develop community-based ecotourism with various agencies, and has also worked on projects in Cambodia and Vietnam. He’s serves as Advisor & Social Investor with the Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project and is chatting with us in person here in Bangkok. Welcome back Paul.
To hear Paul answer the following questions about dolphins in Myanmar,
Listen to Episode 93 on SoundCloud or iTunes
- Tell us about Irrawaddy Dolphins: what makes them unique?
- Where are these dolphins found in Asia?
- What types of threats do they face?
- Tell us about the Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project?
- How did you get involved with the Project?
- How long has it been going?
- Why did they start this project?
- What’s the ultimate goal of the Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project?
- You have 1, 2 and 3-day experiences. It looks pretty cool staying in the tents – tell us about those experiences?
- What will people gain from the experience?
- How do locals and dolphins benefit?
- How do dolphins benefit from cooperative fishing?
- Can guests participate in this?
- What efforts are being made in Cambodia and Laos to protect Irrawaddy Dolphins there?
- What does the future look like for Irrawaddy Dolphins?
- How can people learn more and get involved?
- What’s next for you?
Sleep in tents and experience local culture, courtesy of Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project on Talk Travel Asia Podcast
See Some Photos from This Episode
About Our Guest:
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- Theme Music by Jamie Ruben
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