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Please sign and share this petition in an effort to protect the dolphins in Laos and encourage the country not to build these endangered dolphin-killing dams. The Irrawaddy dolphins are considered an endangered species that would be wiped out completely if they build these dams.
Laos is planning on building a several mile long Don Sahong dam that would put the existent population of Irrawaddy dolphins in grave danger. This particular breed of dolphin is known for its bulbous head shape and is highly endangered. The proposed dam would be built in the Mekong River. Such a dam would involve excavation with explosives that would affect and kill sea life in the area, including dolphins. Conservationists are not highly in favor of the project. A spokesman stated “Plans to construct the Don Sahong dam in a channel immediately upstream from these dolphins will likely hasten their disappearance from the Mekong.”
The Laos Government is hopeful that this dam would generate revenue from hydropower which is a major resource for the area. They boast about ambitious plans for up to 60 dams and intend to turn the landlocked nation into the “battery of Southeast Asia.” Their main concern is that “Laos can be rich” despite the number of species that will be killed and considered critically endangered.
Conservationists say that other alternatives, like another hydroelectricity source called the Thako Project, could generate the same amount of electricity as the dam but at lower cost and with far less impacts. This option does not involve building a dam across any of the channels of the Mekong. It is not too late to suspend the dam project and choose a safer option that would not threaten the dolphin and other marine life. Please sign and share this petition in an effort to protect the dolphins in Laos and encourage the country not to build these endangered dolphin-killing dams.
Laos Government – You must suspend your plans to build this Don Sahong dam that would place many marine animals and fishes in danger, especially the Irrawaddy dolphins. It appears your only concern is monetary gain even though many animals’ lives are in danger. The Irrawaddy dolphin would completely disappear with the construction of this dam whereas you can choose a safer option such as the hydroelectricity source called the Thako Project that could generate the same amount of electricity as the dam but at lower cost and with far less impacts or lives lost. Please stop this dam project and project your local marine life and the environment.