The Ganges river dolphin lives in one of the world’s most densely populated areas. It is threatened primarily by the damming of rivers for irrigation and electricity generation , which degrades the habitat, and isolates the populations; preventing seasonal migration.
When did the Ganges river dolphin become endangered?
This may not seem alarming at first, but when you consider that in 1982 the population was estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 individuals, it becomes drastically apparent that something needs to be done. In 34 years the Ganges River Dolphin population has diminished by as much as 24%!
Is Ganga endangered river?
Apart from Ganga, Indus, Nile and Yangtze are among the 10 most endangered rivers of the world . The Ganga basin makes up almost a third of India’s land area and its rich soil is home to millions of people. ... The river is home to more than 140 fish species, 90 amphibian species and the endangered Ganga river dolphin.
What threatens the existence of the Ganges river dolphin?
www.worldwildlife.org/species/ganges-river-dolphin
Their survival is threatened by the construction of dams and water development projects that isolate them from other river dolphins and limit their access to prey. They like to live in areas of the river where fish are plentiful and the water current is slower.
What are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges river dolphin?
New Delhi: The population of the Ganges River Dolphin has declined to less than 1,800 from 6,000 in 1982 due to construction of dams and water pollution caused by pesticides, fertilizers, and industrial effluents , a leading conservation organization has found.
How many river dolphins are left in the world 2020?
There are only five extant species of river dolphins left in the world today and they are all endangered or critically endangered. This is because pollution, dams, shipping and bycatch have taken their toll on this iconic species.
Are all dolphins blind?
The Gangetic dolphin is almost completely blind . Evolving in silty, murky environs for over 30 million years, it has all but lost its eyesight. Its eyes have no lenses, and it can only sense the direction of diffuse light. It lives by echolocation; sound is everything to this most ancient of all cetaceans.
Why Ganga water is green?
Environmental pollution scientist Dr Kripa Ram has said that the algae are seen in Ganga due to increased nutrients in the water . He also cited rain as one of the reasons for the change of colour of Ganga water. “Due to rain, these algae flow to the river from fertile lands.
How dirty is the Ganges River?
Experts estimate that more than 3000 million litres of untreated sewage from these towns along the Ganges are pumped into the river every day. By the time it reaches Varanasi, whose untreated sewage (or most of it) is also pumped into the waters, it becomes a sewer and the sixth most polluted river in the world.
Which animal lives in Ganga river?
While we help improve the river, we also assist some amazing and unique wildlife: turtles, Gangetic dolphins, otters, Mahseer fish , and my all-time favourites: magnificent gharials so-called because of their ghara/pot shaped bulbous nose!
Are Amazon river dolphins blind?
Despite their small eyes they have good sight above and underwater and have no trouble navigating the Amazon’s muddy waters to catch their prey thanks to an excellent sense of echolocation.
Are Ganga dolphins blind?
The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater and is essentially blind . They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds, which bounces off of fish and other prey, enabling them to “see” an image in their mind.
Are dolphins friendly?
Dolphins have a reputation for being friendly , but they are actually wild animals who should be treated with caution and respect. Interactions with people change dolphin behavior for the worse. They lose their natural wariness, which makes them easy targets for vandalism and shark attack.
Is Ganges dolphin endangered?
Ganges River dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica) occur in the Ganges-Brahmaputra River system primarily in India and Bangladesh. They are listed as Endangered by the IUCN due to a probable population decline of at least 50% over the last 50 years and projected future population declines.
Why are Ganges river dolphins blind?
Like other river dolphins, who have evolved these traits convergently, they rely very little on eyesight because of the muddy waters it inhabits, and as a result has tiny, non-functional eyes that lack lenses. Instead they use echolocation to detect food and navigate, and, to a very small extent, communication.
Where are dolphins found in the world?
Bottlenose dolphins are found in temperate and tropical waters around the world. They inhabit a wide variety of habitats, including harbors, bays, gulfs, and estuaries, as well as nearshore coastal waters, deeper waters over the continental shelf, and even far offshore in the open ocean.
