Seasonal occurrence, distribution and group size of Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) in the bay of Brunei, Brunei Darussalam

The uniqueness of the Bay of Brunei makes it an ideal place to be inhabited by Irrawaddy dolphins. However, the increasing potential impacts of anthropogenic factors and environmental changes on the dolphins are alarming. The objectives of this study were to determine the seasonal occurrence and distribution, and to estimate the group size of Irrawaddy dolphins in the Bay of Brunei. Surveys were conducted between January 2016 and April 2018. The total distance surveyed was 2,439.2 km in 189.13 h (survey effort = 13,081.93 km.h). Forty-nine groups of Irrawaddy dolphins were recorded with a sighting rate of 0.37 per 100 km.h. Thirteen of the groups were observed with calves. Overall, the group size ranged between 1 and 15 individuals with a mean of 4.5 individuals (SD = 3.3). There was no statistical significance in the number of dolphin sightings between four different monsoon seasons (Northeast, Southwest, April Inter-monsoon, and October Inter-monsoon) (χ2 = 5.66, df = 3, p > 0.05). The number of sightings and number of individuals suggest that Irrawaddy dolphins are residents of the Bay of Brunei and are in need of a conservation management plan

Water Surface Behaviour of Irrawaddy Dolphin <i>Orcaella brevirostris</i> (Owen in Gray, 1866) and Influencing Factors in the Bay of Brunei, Brunei Darussalam

There is limited information on Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) in the Bay of Brunei, Brunei Darussalam. This research was carried out from 2016 to 2018 to determine the water surface behaviour of Irrawaddy dolphins in the bay, the relationship between behaviour and abiotic factors and the number of individuals displaying the behaviour. Behavioural categories, i.e., feeding, socializing, and travelling in groups or individually, and water parameters were documented during boat-based line transect surveys. “Feeding” (n = 188) behaviour was the dominant activity exhibited by the dolphins. The chi-square test (χ2) shows that the frequency of feeding, socializing, and travelling to the water depth range is significantly high (p-value = 0.03). Forty-six percent (46%) of all behavioural categories occurred at depths 1.00–5.99 m. The number of individuals displaying “feeding” behaviour has a weak positive relationship with depth (p-value = 0.07), turbidity (p-value = 0.7), sea surface temperature (p-value = 0.9) and salinity (p-value = 0.9). This study may serve as a baseline for future research. It can help in planning conservation projects and management for Irrawaddy dolphins in the Bay of Brunei, Brunei Darussalam

Water Surface Behaviour of Irrawaddy Dolphin Orcaella brevirostris (Owen in Gray, 1866) and Influencing Factors in the Bay of Brunei, Brunei Darussalam

There is limited information on Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) in the Bay of Brunei, Brunei Darussalam. This research was carried out from 2016 to 2018 to determine the water surface behaviour of Irrawaddy dolphins in the bay, the relationship between behaviour and abiotic factors and the number of individuals displaying the behaviour. Behavioural categories, i.e., feeding, socializing, and travelling in groups or individually, and water parameters were documented during boat-based line transect surveys. &ldquo;Feeding&rdquo; (n = 188) behaviour was the dominant activity exhibited by the dolphins. The chi-square test (&chi;2) shows that the frequency of feeding, socializing, and travelling to the water depth range is significantly high (p-value = 0.03). Forty-six percent (46%) of all behavioural categories occurred at depths 1.00&ndash;5.99 m. The number of individuals displaying &ldquo;feeding&rdquo; behaviour has a weak positive relationship with depth (p-value = 0.07), turbidity (p-value = 0.7), sea surface temperature (p-value = 0.9) and salinity (p-value = 0.9). This study may serve as a baseline for future research. It can help in planning conservation projects and management for Irrawaddy dolphins in the Bay of Brunei, Brunei Darussalam