The Indus River Dolphin: An endangered freshwater river dolphin

[Omar1984]

Indus River Dolphin

Common Name Indus River dolphin, bhulan, blind river dolphin, Indus dolphin, side swimming dolphin;
Plataniste de l'Indus (Fr);
Delfín del Indo (Sp)

Scientific Name Platanista minor

Status IUCN : Endangered (EN A1acd, B1+2abcde

Population Approximately 1,100


The Indus River dolphin (Platanista minor) is one of the world's rarest mammals and the second most endangered freshwater river dolphin. Approximately 1,100 specimens of this species exist today in a small fraction of their former range, the lower reaches of the Indus River in Pakistan.

However, the population of this species has gradually declined because of various factors, including water pollution, poaching, fragmentation of habitat due to barrages, and dolphin strandings in the irrigation canals.

Numbers have dramatically declined since the construction of the irrigation system in the Indus. Most individuals now remain in a 1,200 km stretch of the Indus River.

In addition to efforts to conserve their habitat, including addressing problems such as river pollution, WWF staff have also been involved in rescue missions when individual dolphins become trapped in canals. WWF also coordinated the largest survey of the species ever in 2001 in collaboration with partners.

WWF - Pakistan, as part of its Indus Dolphin Conservation Initiatives, is improving agricultural practices near the dolphin habitat to reduce the agrochemical pollution in the Indus River. The main partners in this activity are CAB International Regional Bioscience Centre Pakistan (CABI RBC PAK) and Agriculture Extension Department Sindh. This picture shows an activity where the expert facilitator is with farmer participants checking the progress of cotton in a demonstration plot, where lesser water and agrochemical were used. This is a part of the skill enhancement training session.


The participants of the Skill Enhancement Training Session of Facilitator (SETSF) are engaged in transplanting of rice in a demonstration plot, where Better Management Practices are shown such as use of less agrochemicals and water. Through such sessions, farmers learn that excessive use of water and agrochemical is not equivalent to more yield.


WWF-Pakistan assists in a numberof education initiatives and has arranged training courses for various institutions. An aerial survey of the species range was conducted in 2003.

WWF's objective for freshwater cetaceans is to ensure that habitat degradation, strandings and fisheries bycatch do not threaten freshwater cetaceans.


Physical Description
Species Description
The species is characterized by a long beak, rounded belly, stocky body, very small dorsal fin and large flippers. Although its eye hasn't developed a lens (this species is also referred to as the "blind dolphin"), the dolphin still uses its eyes to differentiate between light and dark. It relies on echolocation (sound sensors) to find fish, shrimp, and other prey in the bottom mud.
The Indus River dolphin swims on its side, at times enabling it to move in water as shallow as 30 cm. As it swims on its side, it trails a flipper along the bottom of the river. After 30 to 60 seconds, when it needs to breath, it swims to the surface, rotates upright to take in the air, and then rotates 90 degrees again as it swims back to the bottom. This unique side swimming behaviour is not consistently seen in any other dolphin, except the Ganges River dolphin.

The Indus River dolphin migrates upstream into the smaller tributaries during the monsoon rains and migrates downstream to the main channels in the dry season.


Size
The Indus River dolphin weighs 70-110 kg (155-245 lbs). The maximum size is 2.5m (8.2 ft), with males smaller than females.



Habitat
Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan

Range States
Pakistan

Ecological Region
Indus river Delta & Rann of Kutch



Endemism
Indus river system of Pakistan


Interesting Facts
The Indus River dolphin sometimes carries its young on its back, above the surface of the water.

 

[Omar1984]

Indus dolphins at risk due to receding water, shortage of feed



Sunday, January 25, 2009
By By Jan Khaskheli

Karachi

Rare dolphins have been found dead or injured in canals off the Indus River. Officials from the Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) believe that receding river water and a shortage of feed might be the cause of these deaths.

“The number of dolphins in the Indus River has increased sufficiently overall, but persistent water shortage and decreasing amount of fish in the reserve are causing them to die,” Hussain Bakhsh Bhagat, Sindh Wildlife Conservator, told The News. The Indus River dolphin (Platanista minor), locally known as Bhulan, is one of the rarest mammals in the world, and the second most endangered freshwater river dolphin. During monsoon rains, it migrates upstream into the smaller tributaries and downstream to the main channels in the dry season, sometimes carrying its young on its back above the surface of the water. Very sensitive to its local environment, it cannot survive for long in other waters, as the governments of China, Switzerland and Japan discovered in the seventies when taking away rare mammals from the Indus River for research purposes.

“These dolphins die within a short period after they are brought out of the Indus River,” explained Bhagat. Unfortunately, when these dolphins travel for search of feed in the Indus water, they often get trapped by canals or strangled by the iron gates. According to SWD officials, this usually happens every January, which is when the canals are rotated. “In January, most of the gates of the Sukkur and Guddu barrages are closed, trapping dolphins from nearby canals,” said the officials.

The SWD and Worldwide Fund (WWF) Pakistan claim to have set up dolphin conservation centres at different areas to protect the species. Attempts to preserve the dolphins date back to 1974, when a 192-kilometre stretch between the Guddu and Sukkur barrages was declared as a dolphin reserve. Even so, many still die in these waters today. Conservationists believe that the deaths of so many dolphins in different locations are indicative of an environmental disaster in the protected Indus River Dolphin Reserve, which is also a Ramsar site.

Indus dolphins entered the limelight in 1995 when many were found trapped in canals. It is believed that over-fishing from the river is the main reason these dolphins are forced to travel to nearby canals. Bhagat said that on a self-help basis, the SWD officials managed to save 13 dolphins reported strangled. “Later we observed that the numbers of trapped and dying dolphins trapped were increasing unimaginably.”

By 2000, the shocking trend had attracted the attention of international wildlife conservation bodies, WWF Pakistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In a bid to save the dolphins, from 2001 to 2005 the UNDP tasked the SWD through the Lahore Zoo management to preserve the species in its natural habitat. During the five-year project, the SWD officials rescued 65 dolphins. Till date, 80 dolphins have been rescued and released back into the river.

“Some died during the rescue operation or before we could reach them,” admitted Bhagat. Despite the rescue operation, there is still uncertainty about the total number of dolphins remaining. According to an SWD survey conducted in 2006, the population stands at 820, while research from the WWF Pakistan in Sukkur shows the figure to be over 1,100. However, independent conservationists estimate that there are no more than 200 dolphins left in their natural reserve. They have criticised the organisations concerned for not having adequate equipment.

“The Indus dolphin is indigenous and should be protected,” said Amar Leghari, author of four books on environment and wildlife. “Hundreds of millions of rupees are being spent on the conservation of the species, but the incidents of death are increasing. Why can they not install cheap nets at the canal gates to stop the blind mammal from entering?”


Indus dolphins at risk due to receding water, shortage of feed

 

[zombie]

Ganges and Indus River Dolphin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


The Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) and Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor) are two sub-species of freshwater or river dolphins found in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan. The Ganges River Dolphin is primarily found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers and their tributaries in India, Bangladesh and Nepal, while the Indus River Dolphin is only found in the Indus river in Pakistan. From the 1970s until 1998, they were regarded as separate species; however, in 1998, their classification was changed from two separate species to subspecies of a single species


Amazing how one species is present in two seperate geographic region without connection. Perhaps in a time when the two systems were connected? If so where?

 

[Beskar]

The "Ganges river" Dolphin should be given a life time Achievement award for being able to survive in that toxic river with human remains.

 

[zombie]

Even in such a simple thread you cannot avoid making a hatefilled post? Pity your existence.

 

[Beskar]

Even in such a simple thread you cannot avoid making a hatefilled post? Pity your existence.

What's so hateful about my post? I'm surprised to know that a species of rare "Dolphin" is found in that river of the dead. It's been labelled as the one of the most "Toxic" rivers there is.

Degeneracy epidemic is getting to your head. Try to take things into Context next time.

 

[qsaark]

Even in such a simple thread you cannot avoid making a hatefilled post? Pity your existence.

Dude, I could'nt stop laughing on the comments he made. BUT, yes, I do see the point in your reply. The whole thing could have been said in a relatively non-sarcasmic way.

 

[Beskar]

Dude, I could'nt stop laughing on the comments he made. BUT, yes, I do see the point in your reply. The whole thing could have been said in an non-sarcasmic way.

Indian members should stop acting like Drama Queens and should really STOP finding "Hate" in every comment.

 

[EagleEyes]

Ok discuss the topic. Move on.

 

[Neo]

Indus Dolphin found near Naushero Feroze ​

Friday, March 06, 2009

NAUSHERO FEROZE: Indus Dolphin, which is a rare fish, was found dead in Rohri Canal near the Naushero Feroze Regulator on Thursday. The Indus Dolphin, which was estimated to have died eight days ago, was carried by the down flow of Rohri Canal from Sukkur. Officials of the Irrigation Department and Wildlife did not reach the spot nor made any attempt to recover the body of the rare fish. This is the second fish to be spotted in this area in two months. The cause of the death of dolphin is attributed to shortage of water in River Indus.

 

[marisa rehana mann]

The Indus River Dolphin

There is a wonderful rare dolphin in the Indus River that could become extinct as in the Yantese River in China. These animals are a good indication of the health of the river, if they die out it shows that too much water has been siphoned off and also that it could be polluted. They are also part of the heritage of Pakistan, a joy for our children to see and a source of pride and income from tourism for the local people. Various groups are trying to look after them and their web addresses etc are included below.
These paintings were inspired originally by a large work done for the group WDCS, in Speyside,where the government in Britain is trying to destroy the indigenous dolphins that live in the Moray Firth in Scotland, by drilling for oil in their habitat. My painting can be seen there and the charity uses the image to help raise funds. It led to researching the dolphins in Pakistan and hoping that people will want to preserve Indus River ones for future generations.

 

[khanz]

wow can we see pics of these paintings plz ?

 

[khanz]

wow i just checked out your website your work is really impressive !

 

[indiatech]

By Lal Mohan, the famous dolfin protector of india, from his book, Whales and Dolphins of India, by R.S. Lal Mohan


The "Blind" River Dolphins
of India

The river dolphins are found in the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and their tributaries. It's scientific name is Platanista gangetica. It is commonly known as "Susu" in Ganges and "Hihu" in Brahmaputra. They are aquatic mammals. The other river dolphins are the Lipotes vexillifer of Yangtse river in China, Platanista minor of Indus river of Pakistan, Inia geoffrensis of Amazon river of South America.
They were found in large numbers before a few years. But now their number has come down considerably due to various human activities like fishing (gillnetting), poaching, damming (Farakka barrage) in Ganges and other dams, sand mining (in Kulsi river of Assam) and deforestation.

The river dolphins are included in the schedule 1 of Indian Wildlife Act 1972. According to this Act, if any one is found killing them or possessing any part of them can be imprisoned for 1-6 years and fined not less than Rs. 6000.


The Ganges river dolphins ("Susu" or "Hihu") grow to a maximum length of 2.6 m (8 ft.), weighing about 100 kg. They have elongated beak with about 28 sharp curved teeth on each side of upper and lower jaws. The flippers (fore arms) are broad and paddle like. The dorsal fin is short but the caudal fluke is well developed. As they are mammals they breath air with lungs and come to the surface for breathing. They have to surface at least once in 30-50 seconds. They give birth to a calf of length of about 65 cm after a gestation period of about 9 months. They feed their young ones with milk from the mammary glands located near its anus. The river dolphins feed on small fishes and prawns. They mature at an age of 6-7 years and may live for about 35 years. Because of their poor eye sight they cannot be trained as in the case of marine dolphins. Further they do not live for long in captivity. Hence they cannot be kept for shows in dolphinariums.

The uniqueness of the dolphin is their highly developed sonar sense. It is the only aquatic mammal which has developed its sonar sense (sound ) to an extent that it captures its food and navigates with the help of echolocation. They produce ultra sonic sound upto 200 000 Hz where as the hearing capacity of the human ear is only 18 000 Hz. Its optic sense organs have degenerated and their eye lens have atrophied. But the loss of vision is compensated by the well developed sonar sense.

During a recent population survey conducted in 1993 from South Salmara to
Sadiya covering the entire dolphin habitat of the river under the auspicious of the Conservation of Nature Trust, Calicut, the Assam Valley Wildlife Society and the Dept. Zoology, Gauhathi University it was observed that the population of the river dolphins may be about 600 in Ganges and 400 in Brahmaputra (Assam). It is a very thin population for a species with low reproductive rate. Though they are dispersed in the river, they are found concentrated more at the confluences of the rivers where the water current is strong. A few residential populations are found in the tributaries like Kulsi and Subansiri of Brahmaputra. They are found in Bangladesh and in Nepal (Karnali) also.


It is estimated that about 100 dolphins are killed annually in Ganges and Brahmaputra. The oil of dolphins is used as medicine for rheumatism and for the preparation of bait for the catfishes, Clupisoma garua (Garuah fish or Neria). Bihari and Bangladesh fishermen carry out the fishery in Brahmaputra. It has been recently found that the fish oils can be used in the place of dolphin oil for the preparation of bait. Popularisation of the fish oil as bait may reduce the poaching of dolphins for its oil. Crude shark liver oil was distributed to the fishermen of South Salmara, Dhubri and Goalpara and the results were very encouraging. It was observed that the fishermen of Dhubri and Goalpara in Assam, and Kahalgan of Bihar in Ganges were getting more fishes when they used the bait made of fish oil than with dolphin oil. Further River Dolphin Protection Committees are formed in the districts along the banks of the Brahmaputra with Deputy Commissioners as Patrons and officials and interested individuals as members. These committees will be taking active role in protecting the species.

Though the river dolphins of Ganges and Brahmaputra are in peril, they can be saved, if concrete efforts are taken. The survival of the species rests finally in the hands of fishermen, who are unfortunately, poor and illiterate. Any steps directed to save the dolphins should take into consideration their economic status and give them an alternate livelihood.
Banning the use of dolphin oil as a fish bait, popularisation of fish oil as bait, implementation of Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, improving the habitat of dolphins, prevention of over-exploitation of fish stock, declaration of sanctuaries (Kulsi river and lower reaches of Subansiri river) and creation of general awareness among fishermen and law enforcing authorities will go a long way in saving this endangered and unique river dolphins of Ganges and Brahmaputra.

 

[Imran Khan]

The Indus River Dolphin has a long beak and a stocky body. It has a low triangular hump on its back in place of a 'true' dorsal fin. It is gray-brown in color, sometimes with a pinkish belly. The eyes are extremely small, resembling pinhole openings slightly above the mouth. The Indus River dolphin measures between 1.5 - 2.5 m (5 - 8') in length and weighs 80 - 90 kg (180 - 200 lb). The Indus River dolphin generally occurs in the deepest river channel and is less common in secondary channels and small braids. Reported habitat preferences include channel constrictions, confluences, and deep, low-velocity water.

The Indus River dolphin feeds mostly on several species of fish and invertebrates. It does much of its feeding at or near the bottom, using echolocation, swimming on one side, and probing the river bottom with its snout and its flipper. Although it is not usually considered to be gregarious, relatively high densities are found at sites where rivers join, in areas where the current is relatively weak, off the mouths of irrigation canals, and near villages and ferry routes.

The Indus River dolphin is endemic to the rivers of the lower Indus River basin in Pakistan. Historically, it ranged from the Indus delta upstream to the Himalayan foothills where rocky barriers or shallow water prevented further upstream movement. Currently the distribution of the Indus River dolphin is severely fragmented and dramatically reduced in extent. The linear extent of its occurrence has declined from approximately 3,400 km (2100 mi) of Indus River mainstem and its tributaries in the 1870's to approximately 1,000 km (600 mi) of the mainstem at present. Currently the Indus River dolphin is limited to three subpopulations in the Indus mainstem located between the Chashma and Taunsa, Taunsa and Guddu, and Guddu and Sukkur Barrages. (IUCN 2006)

The main reason for the decline of the Indus River dolphin was the construction of numerous dams and barrages, starting in the 1930's, that have fragmented the population and reduced the amount of available habitat. Another severe threat to the survival of the Indus River Dolphin is probably the increasing withdrawal of water. Dolphins no longer occur in the lower reaches of the Indus because upstream water extraction leaves downstream channels virtually dry for several months each year.

Tidbits
*** The Indus River dolphin is one of the world's rarest mammals.

*** Although its eye lacks a lens, and it is sometimes referred to as being blind, the Indus River dolphin's eye does seem to function as a direction-finding device by using the direction and intensity of light.

*** In Pakistan, conservation is a provincial responsibility. The government of Sind has given the Indus River dolphin full legal protection and established the Indus River Dolphin Reserve. The legal protection was widely publicized in an intensive campaign at all levels of government and society, and seems to be observed. The dolphin population in the Reserve appears to be increasing. (Klinowska 1991)

Countries Where the Indus River Dolphin Is Currently Found:
2006: Occurs in the Indus River system in Pakistan (IUCN 2006).

Taxonomy:
The Indus and Ganges River dolphin populations, previously treated as separate species, have recently been reduced to subspecies of a single species. The new species is named the "Ganges River dolphin" (Platanista gangetica), with two subspecies - the Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) and the Indus River dolphin (P. g. minor). Under this new assignment of scientific names, the newly named species as well as the two subspecies retain the listing of "Endangered" by the IUCN. (IUCN 2003a, Reeves 2004)

Population Estimates:
[Note: Figures given are for wild populations only.]

WORLD (Pakistan)
1974: 450 - 600 (Nowak & Paradiso 1983)
Late 1970's: 400 (Burton & Pearson 1987)
1984: 600 (Macdonald 1984)
1986: 400 - 600 (Bonner 1989)
1989: 500 (Klinowska 1991)
1998: 600 - 700 (IWC 2000)
2001: 843 - 1171 (IUCN 2006)
History of Distribution:
The Indus River dolphin is endemic to the rivers of the lower Indus River basin in Pakistan. Historically it occurred in the Indus River mainstem and the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum tributaries. It ranged from the Indus delta upstream to the Himalayan foothills where rocky barriers or shallow water prevented further upstream movement. Currently the distribution of the Indus River dolphin is severely fragmented and dramatically reduced in extent. The linear extent of its occurrence has declined from approximately 3,400 km (2100 mi) of Indus River mainstem and its tributaries in the 1870's to approximately 1,000 km (600 mi) of the mainstem at present. An estimated 99% of the Indus River dolphin population occurs in only 690 linear km (430 mi). Currently the Indus River dolphin is limited to three subpopulations in the Indus mainstem located between the Chashma and Taunsa, Taunsa and Guddu, and Guddu and Sukkur Barrages. (IUCN 2006)

Distribution Map #1S (22 Kb JPEG) (WCMC/CMS) (smaller map)
Distribution Map #1L (67 Kb JPEG) (WCMC/CMS) (larger map)
Distribution Map 2 (135 KB PDF) (IUCN 2006)

Threats and Reasons for Decline:
The main reason for the decline of the Indus River dolphin was the construction of numerous dams and barrages, starting in the 1930's, that have fragmented the population and reduced the amount of available habitat. Another severe threat to the survival of the Indus River Dolphin is probably the increasing withdrawal of water. Dolphins no longer occur in the lower reaches of the Indus because upstream water extraction leaves downstream channels virtually dry for several months each year. Accidental capture in fishing nets; pollution; and hunting for meat, oil and traditional medicine have also had an impact. (IUCN 2006)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Data on Biology and Ecology
Size and Weight:
The Indus River dolphin measures between 1.5 - 2.5 m (5 - 8') in length and weighs 80 - 90 kg (180 - 200 lb).

Habitat:
The Indus River dolphin generally occurs in the deepest river channel and is less common in secondary channels and small braids. Reported habitat preferences include channel constrictions, confluences, and deep, low-velocity water. As water levels drop in the winter, dolphins are concentrated in the remaining deep areas, including the head ponds upstream of barrages. (IUCN 2006)

The Indus River dolphin occurs in the Indus River Delta & Rann of Kutch Global 200 Ecoregion. (Olson & Dinerstein 1998, Olson & Dinerstein 1999)

Age to Maturity:
Likely 6 - 10 years (IUCN 2006).

Gestation Period:
10 - 11 months.

Birth Season:
Calving apparently can occur at any time of the year, but there may be peaks in December - January and March - May. (Culik 2003c)

Birth Rate:
The calving interval is 2 years.

Early Development:
Calves may be weaned by the time they are 1 year old.

Maximum Age:
May be close to 30 (IUCN 2006).

Diet:
The Indus River dolphin feeds on several species of fish (e.g. gobies, catfish and carp), invertebrates (e.g. prawns), and possibly turtles and birds. It does much of its feeding at or near the bottom, using echolocation, swimming on one side, and probing the river bottom with its snout and its flipper. (Culik 2003c)

Behavior:
The Indus River dolphin comes to the surface to breathe about every 30 - 120 seconds.

When the Indus was a free-flowing river, the Indus River dolphin would migrate upstream into the smaller tributaries during the monsoon rains and migrate downstream to the main channels in the dry season.

Social Organization:
Although it is not usually considered to be gregarious, relatively high densities of the Indus River dolphin are found at sites where rivers join, in areas where the current is relatively weak, off the mouths of irrigation canals, and near villages and ferry routes. In the Indus, about 40-45% of the dolphin population is found at junctions of tributaries with the mainstream, at least during the dry season, presumably being attracted to these areas by concentrations of prey. (Culik 2003c)

Age and Gender Distribution:
A male:female ratio of 2:1 has been reported.

Density:
Estimated linear density of Indus River dolphins based on surveys conducted in 2001 (IUCN 2006):

- 3.6 individuals/km (5.8 individuals/mi) in the Sindh Dolphin Reserve between the Guddu and Sukkur Barrages

- 0.74 individuals/km (1.2 individuals/mi) between the Guddu and Taunsa Barrages

- 0.28 individuals/km (0.45 individuals/mi) between the Taunsa and Chashma Barrages