The Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry is significantly bolstering protective measures for the Mahakam River dolphin, known locally as the pesut. This critically endangered species, endemic to East Kalimantan, Borneo, is the focus of an intensified conservation push following a recent population count. The latest census, conducted in October 2025, recorded a fragile population of 64 individuals, which reportedly includes the recent addition of two newborns, suggesting a slight, positive shift in the species' trajectory.
To directly combat the most severe threats, the Ministry is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. A primary objective of this partnership is to halt the transit of coal shipments through the essential river tributaries that constitute the dolphins' primary habitat. Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq stated that nearly 900 barges pass through the Mahakam River daily, with some still utilizing smaller routes where the pesut are known to hide. The government is proposing that coal stockpiles be transported via land or the main river routes instead.
The pesut faces a multifaceted challenge to its survival. Key threats identified include fatal entanglement in fishing gear, destructive collisions with heavy barges, pervasive pollution, and the use of illegal, destructive fishing techniques like electrofishing. Conservation architects are implementing a localized strategy, formally designating respected local experts and community members as vital protection partners. Furthermore, detailed mapping of the entire habitat is underway to precisely pinpoint areas of concentrated threat for targeted resource deployment.
The Mahakam River dolphin holds a unique position in global biodiversity, representing one of only five remaining river dolphin lineages worldwide, all of which are currently listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Broader ecological context reveals that habitat degradation from upstream mining activities, such as sedimentation, has also been a long-term stressor on the river’s delicate balance. The current collective actions underscore a growing understanding that safeguarding this unique cetacean is synonymous with preserving the health of the entire Mahakam riverine environment.