Marine

River Dolphin Conservation: Ganges and Irrawaddy

Freshwater dolphin species in Asia face critically endangered status from fisheries bycatch, habitat loss, and pollution, with profound welfare implications.

Key Facts

The Ganges river dolphin is classified as Endangered with around 3,500 individuals remaining
Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong are Critically Endangered with fewer than 100 individuals
Both species are vulnerable to entanglement in gill nets during fishing operations
River dolphin welfare is affected by noise pollution from boat traffic and industrial activity

Welfare Considerations

Entanglement in fishing nets causes drowning for air-breathing dolphins. Habitat degradation forces dolphins into areas of higher human conflict. Noise pollution disrupts echolocation and social communication. River dolphins represent some of the most welfare-compromised wild cetaceans.

What You Can Do

Support Ganges and Mekong dolphin conservation organisations
Advocate for exclusion zones around key dolphin habitat in river management plans
Engage with fisheries bycatch reduction initiatives in South and Southeast Asia