Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 08:34am on 06 Apr 2025,Sunday India
India's first comprehensive river dolphin survey reveals 6,327 individuals—6,324 Gangetic and 3 Indus dolphins—across 58 rivers in 10 states. Gangetic dolphins, India’s national aquatic animal, are endangered and nearly blind, relying on echolocation in murky waters. Their survival is threatened by fishing nets, poaching, collisions with boats, and the growing river cruise industry. Though conservation efforts have improved since 2009, including a national action plan and a dedicated research center, threats persist. With slow reproduction and growing human disturbance, experts warn of extinction risks similar to China’s Baiji dolphins. Despite challenges, conservationists remain cautiously optimistic, urging sustained efforts to ensure the species' survival. (PC: ShutterStock & Getty Images)
