Indus River Dolphin: Habitat

Sindh Wildlife Department staff taking an Indus river dolphin for release. "Rescue operation", January 2005, Pakistan.
© WWF-Pakistan / Uzma Khan

A rich habitat

Did you know? The Indus River dolphin is one of the 'world's rarest mammals' and most endangered cetaceans.

The Indus River, where the blind dolphin is found, supports a rich variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish, particularly the Indus Dolphin on its more than 3000-km journey. Endemic to Pakistan, the Indus River dolphin survives only in fresh water, unlike most dolphins and whales, which are usually found only in the sea.

Other river dolphin species occur in the Yangtze River in China, the Amazon in South America and the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in India, Bangladesh and Nepal.