Dolphin population falls below 300
The Ganges River Dolphin faces a high risk of extinction in India's Brahmaputra river system unless critical habitat is protected. Once abundant in the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems in India and Bangladesh, the population of these dolphins has fallen sharply over the past century due to accidental bycatch by fishermen, direct killing for their meat and oil, and diversion of water for agriculture.
Scientists estimate that only 2,000 remain, of which 240-300 survive in the Brahmaputra. Dam building and a proposed seismic survey in the Brahmaputra river are also threats. The latter involves using explosives and airguns on the bed of the Brahmaputra River which could have has disastrous implications for the Ganges River dolphins. Involving communities in conservation is critical to saving dolphins in the Brahmaputra.
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