Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetica)
In October 2004, dolphins joined the ranks of species such as great apes and tigers and were listed as a species endangered by trade on Appendix I of CITES.
It is the most threatened cetacean and among the world's most threatened mammals. They are threatened by accidental gillnet fishing, bycatch, use of their oil as fish bait, by pesticides and river fragmentation from agricultural irrigation and dams.
It is listed as the Endangered species in IUCN Red Data Book and as a Flagship Species by WWF.
Conserving dolphins means:
- Sewerage will need to be adequately treated and rubbish disposed of thoughtfully instead of dumped in the rivers.
- The rivers will be clean enough to draw on for water supplies (drinking water may need additional treatment).
- River banks will be replanted with trees that enhance the environment, reduce erosion of farm lands, and provide food and fibres for people.
- There will be enough fish in the rivers to support people and dolphins.
- Enough water will flow down the rivers to reduce the intrusion of saltwater from the sea.
- Floods will be managed more naturally to reduce risk to people, trigger fish breeding, and restore floodplain habitats and flood recession agriculture.
Interesting facts about dolphins
- They are among the oldest creatures in the world along with crocodiles, sharks and some turtles.
- As top predators they are not eaten by anything else
- 10 years could wipe out what has survived 100 million years.
- Dolphins are the link between freshwater and people
- The decline of these dolphins must give us a wake-up call.
