Wildlife

Freshwater Dolphin Conservation and Welfare

River dolphins face extinction from habitat destruction, fishing bycatch, and pollution, with surviving populations experiencing severe welfare challenges.

Key Facts

The Yangtze river dolphin (baiji) was declared functionally extinct in 2006
The Ganges river dolphin navigates using echolocation as river waters are too murky to see
Amazon river dolphin populations have declined by 94% in some survey areas since 2000
Entanglement in fishing nets is the primary cause of mortality for most river dolphin species

Welfare Considerations

River dolphins that survive entanglement in nets often suffer amputated fins, deep wounds, and physiological shock. Survivors in degraded rivers face chronic noise pollution, prey depletion, and contaminant accumulation. The extinction of the baiji stands as a warning of how quickly these intelligent animals can disappear.

What You Can Do

Support WWF and other organizations working on river dolphin conservation
Advocate for fishing net regulations in river dolphin habitats
Reduce your consumption of products linked to river habitat destruction
Support acoustic monitoring programs that track dolphin populations
Urge governments to enforce river pollution standards