The deaths of 10 endangered Mekong River dolphins worsened the Cambodian species

chance of survival, global wildlife organization WWF warned last week.

Only 80 to 100 Irrawaddy dolphins remained in the Mekong, WWF estimated.

"This is terrible news, making a serious situation even more critical,"

WWF Greater Mekong Program manager Robert Mather said.

Eight of the dead dolphins were calves, continuing a trend of high infant mortality,

the organization reported.

WWF Global Freshwater Program director Jamie Pittock blamed the trend on pollution.

"River dolphins like the Irrawaddy are the water's watchdogs," Pittock

said. "This is a stark warning of poor water quality for dolphins and the people

who live from the river."