Freshwater Dolphin Habitat Welfare

Freshwater dolphins living in river systems face unique threats from dams, pollution, and fishing gear entanglement.

Key Facts

Four species of freshwater dolphin survive globally including the Amazon river dolphin and the Irrawaddy dolphin
The Yangtze river dolphin was declared functionally extinct in 2006
River dolphins become entrapped between dams that fragment their ranges
Gillnets deployed throughout river systems catch and drown freshwater dolphins
Acoustic pollution from boat traffic disrupts communication and echolocation in river dolphins

Welfare Considerations

Freshwater dolphins occupy river systems heavily modified by human activity — dammed, polluted, fished, and trafficked by boats. Their welfare is compromised at every point: entanglement in gillnets causes drowning; dam fragmentation separates populations and individuals from foraging areas; chemical pollution affects reproduction and health; boat noise disrupts the echolocation essential for navigation and feeding. The extinction of the Yangtze river dolphin demonstrates where this trajectory leads. The remaining species — Amazon, Ganges, Indus, Irrawaddy — require urgent protection of their river habitats to prevent additional extinctions and reduce ongoing individual suffering.

What You Can Do

Support freshwater dolphin conservation programs in river dolphin range countries
Advocate for restrictions on gillnet use in critical river dolphin habitats
Donate to organizations monitoring and protecting river dolphin populations
Support dam impact mitigation measures including fish passages and flow management
Reduce consumption of goods produced in ways that drive deforestation along river dolphin habitats