Pink Dolphins, Myth or Miracle of Nature?
- Khanom Scribe
- Feb 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 6
Pink dolphins may seem like mythical creatures, like unicorns and fairies, to some but to those of us who live in Khanom they are a reality and a symbol of Mother Nature’s wish for kindness and consideration, not only towards each other but for the heritage of this beautiful place so many expats call home.
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Pink dolphins are not as unique as some might think. On the contrary, The Amazon boasts the most popular pink dolphins, or Boto, as they are called there. However, they are characteristically quite different to those found on the shores of Khanom and other parts of Thailand, Malaysia, China, Australia and Hong Kong.
A main difference is that the Amazonian pink dolphins live in freshwater while the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins we know here as pink dolphins live in coastal waters.
Where Did They Come From?
Pink dolphins are believed to have migrated to Southeast Asia from the Pearl River Delta in China.
What Defines our Pink Dolphins in Khanom?
As babies, the dolphins of Khanom are dark grey but their colour changes as they grow older and that is why you will often see a variety of colours when you are out on your dolphin tour-from grey to motley pink dolphins, and some older ones that are entirely pink or even close to a whitish color.
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Here are some interesting facts about their color and development:
The pink color of the Chinese white dolphin is due to overdeveloped blood vessels that help regulate their body temperature.
The color of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin varies by region and age.
In Chinese and Thai waters, newborns are dark gray, and they turn white or pink as they grow up.
Some adults may still have gray spots.
In the western Indian Ocean and off the coast of China, calves are born dark and lighten to a pink-tinted white with spots.
In Australia and Malaysia, the dolphins are almost white.
Why are they pink?
Their blood vessels are overdeveloped for thermo-regulation and not a pigment color, like the pinks skin of pigs, for example.
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What is being done about their preservation in Thailand?
According to sources on the internet, Thailand’s pink dolphins are not protected but their species, The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, is at least listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and there are agreements with fishermen and guides to turn off engines when dolphins are spotted and to limit time spent with the animals.
While there is an estimated 60 dolphins living off the shores of Khanom district, illegal fishing, loss of habitat and pollution are affecting numbers born and their survival. At least once or twice a year posts do the rounds of pink dolphin bodies found on the beaches here.
Where can pink dolphins be seen?
Sometimes they can be seen in the distance off Nadan and Naiphlao beach, respectively, as well as other coastal villages in the area. People have also mentioned seeing them from the rocks near Donsak pier, where the dolphins come in close to shore.
Local fishermen in the Khwaengpao and Thong Nian Bay area often offer cheap dolphin-viewing trips to visitors, but it must be stressed that sometimes boats are not seaworthy and visitors should always ensure that life jackets are provided and worn.
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Educating locals and visitors
We all have a responsibility to take care of the natural heritage we are so blessed to be a part of. Local Thais and expats, alike, are passionate about Khanom’s pink dolphins and guests are kindly requested to abide by laws and regulations with regard to pollution and to refrain from feeding the dolphins off boats. This is to ensure they continue learning to forage for their own food and not become dependent on human help, which could ultimately be detrimental to their species.
*All information about Khanom’s pink dolphins has been sourced from existing research and the most recently updated information on the internet. Should anyone reading this article have something to add or alter, with the necessary evidence or results of a published study, please do share the information via email.
Educational book on preserving the pink dolphins and hawksbill turtles of Khanom: “Dolly and Toto, Friends of Khanom Bay” can be read or purchase here:
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Sources:
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