INDUS RIVER DOLPHINS

Indus River dolphins are freshwater dolphins. They originate in the

lower course of the Indus River, Pakistan and in the River Beas, India.
The Indus River dolphins are given the scientific name,”Platanista
Minor”. They weigh 155-245 pounds and are 8.2 feet long.

The Indus River dolphins are partially blind and they find their way
using echolocation-finding the location of objects by reflected sound, in
particular that used by animals. They are endangered and there are less
than 2,000 dolphins left.

They are under threat due to several reasons which include water
pollution- the contamination of water sources by substances which make
the water unusable- and hunting -the activity of hunting wild animals.
The WWF-World Wide Fund improves agricultural practices near
dolphin habitat to reduce pollution in the Indus River.

WWF are creating widespread awareness among farming communities

about how inappropriate irrigation practices and the indiscriminate use
of toxic chemicals affects dolphins. WWF also educates fishermen who
are engaged in promoting ecotourism activities, about the importance of
protecting the Indus river dolphin.