Indus River Dolphin free essay sample

HIndus river dolphin, bhulan, blind river dolphin, Indus dolphin, side swimming dolphin, Plataniste de lIndus (Fr), Delfin del Indo (Sp) Scientific name: Plantanista minor What are Indus river dolphins? The Indus River dolphin (Platanista minor) is one of the worlds rarest mammals and the second most endangered freshwater river dolphin. The species is characterized by a long beak, rounded belly, stocky body, very small dorsal fin and large flippers. 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. 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. We will write a custom essay sample on Indus River Dolphin or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 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 [pic] The current situation. 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. Why becoming endangered? 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. What being done for protection? 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 assists in a number of education initiatives and has arranged training courses for various institutions. An aerial survey of the species range was conducted in 2003. WWFs objective for freshwater cetaceans is to ensure that habitat degradation, strandings and fisheries bycatch do not threaten freshwater cetaceans.