River Dolphins: Freshwater Giants Under Threat

River dolphins are among the most endangered mammals on Earth, facing habitat loss, fishing bycatch, and pollution in the great river systems they inhabit.

Key Facts

Only five species of river dolphin survive today, found in South America and South Asia
The Yangtze river dolphin (baiji) was declared functionally extinct in 2006
Ganges and Indus river dolphins are blind, navigating by echolocation alone
River dolphins can live 25 to 30 years in healthy habitat
Bycatch in fishing nets is the leading cause of accidental river dolphin deaths
The Amazon pink dolphin (boto) is considered vulnerable with declining populations
River dolphins are keystone species indicating overall river ecosystem health

Welfare Considerations

River dolphins experience complex social lives and demonstrate high intelligence. Entanglement in gillnets causes drowning deaths — a terrifying and painful end for air-breathing mammals. Noise pollution from boat traffic disrupts echolocation, making feeding and navigation difficult. Habitat fragmentation from dams isolates populations and prevents genetic exchange. Those living in heavily polluted rivers accumulate toxins that cause disease and reproductive failure.

What You Can Do

Support organizations working to reduce gillnet bycatch in river dolphin habitats
Advocate for dam designs that allow fish and dolphin passage
Reduce consumption of products linked to Amazon or Ganges river pollution
Support WWF and Whale and Dolphin Conservation river dolphin programs
Campaign for river dolphin protected areas in key habitat stretches