Species IUCN · Endangered (EN)

Indus River Dolphin

Platanista minor, Owen, 1853

freshwater

About Indus River Dolphin

The Indus river dolphin (Platanista minor) is a freshwater dolphin in the family Platanistidae. It is endemic to the rivers of the Indus basin in Pakistan and northwestern India. It was the first discovered side-swimming cetacean. In Pakistan, it occurs in the Indus River, where five small sub-populations are separated by irrigation barrages. In India, a very small isolated population at a very high risk of extinction lives in the Beas River. It is the national mammal of Pakistan and the state aquatic animal of Punjab, India.

From the 1970s until 1998, the Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica) and the Indus dolphin were regarded as separate species; however, in 1998, their classification was changed from two separate species to subspecies of the South Asian river dolphin. However, more recent studies support them being distinct species.

Appearance

The Indus dolphin has the long, pointed nose characteristic of all river dolphins. The teeth are visible in both the upper and lower jaws even when the mouth is closed. The teeth of young animals are almost an inch long, thin and curved; however, as animals age the teeth undergo considerable changes and in mature adults become square, bony, flat disks. The snout thickens towards its end. The species does not have a crystalline eye lens, rendering it effectively blind, although it may still be able to detect the intensity and direction of light. Navigation and hunting are carried out using echolocation. The body is a brownish color and stocky at the middle. The species has a small triangular lump in place of a dorsal fin.

Habitat

The Indus river dolphin occurs in the Indus River system. Its range once stretched over about 3,400 km (2,100 mi) of the Indus River and its tributaries, but today, it only occurs in about 690 km (430 mi) of the river, and its range has declined by 80% since 1870; it is not present anymore in the tributaries. A remnant population is present in the Beas River and Harike Wetland located in Punjab, India.

Behaviour

It is thought that the Indus river dolphin swims on its side to efficiently navigate shallow waters during the dry season.

Humans & conservation

The Indus river dolphin has been very adversely affected by human use of the river systems in the subcontinent. Entanglement in fishing nets can cause significant damage to local population numbers. Some dolphins are still caught each year for their oil and meat that is used as a liniment, as an aphrodisiac and as bait for catfish. Irrigation has also lowered water levels throughout their ranges. Water pollution from industrial and agricultural chemicals may have also contributed to population decline. Perhaps the most significant issue is the building of dozens of dams along many rivers, causing the segregation of populations and a narrowed gene pool in which dolphins can breed. There are currently three sub-populations of Indus dolphins considered capable of long-term survival if protected.

Where to see it

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