Prime Minister Hun Sen has appointed a dolphin conservation committee aimed at saving

the Irrawaddy dolphin from extinction.

Seng Teak, country director of the World Wildlife Fund, said 12 dolphins have died

since the beginning of 2006, leaving only 80 to 110 of the critically endangered

mammals in Cambodia.

Deputy Minister for Tourism and committee member Thong Khon said the government views

the dolphins as national heritage and is committed to protecting them. The committee

will define a "fishing free zone" to protect dolphins from fishing nets,

one possible cause of the recent spate of dolphin deaths.