Irrawaddy dolphins are a precious living resource of Myanmar. Known to scientists as Orcella brevirostris and to local fishermen in Myanmar as Labai, the species inhabits coastal marine water of the Indo-Pacific from Australia to the Bay of Bengal and ranges far upstream in the Irrawaddy River of Myanmar, Macadam River of Indonesia, and Mekong River of Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao PDR. According to the previous survey (2002), over 41 individuals of Irrawaddy Dolphin have been recorded in Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) River.
These dolphins are unique co-operative fishing with fishermen in Myanmar. Throw-net fishermen in the Ayeyarwaddy River have developed a special relationship with Irrawaddy dolphins. In fact these fishermen actually depend upon the dolphins for their livelihood. With a conical wooden pin the fishermen call the dolphins. If the dolphins "agree" to help the fishermen they slap the water with their flukes and herd schools of fish into a tight ball. Once the fishermen are in position behind the circling dolphins they signal the fishermen with a wave of their tail flukes. The dolphins take advantage of the confusion of the fish that escape the net to make an easy capture. After the net is pulled up they also feed on fish left behind in a single cast. The best time to go for dolphins watching is from November to May but the best time for observation of co-operative fishing between throw-net fishermen and Irrawaddy Dolphins is from January to April.