River Dolphin Conservation and Welfare

River dolphins in Asia and South America are among the most endangered cetaceans, facing threats from fishing bycatch, habitat degradation, and boat strikes in shared waterways.

Key Facts

The baiji river dolphin of China is likely extinct, last confirmed sighting in 2002
The Ganges river dolphin numbers fewer than 3,500 animals in South Asia
The Amazon river dolphin or boto faces hunting for use as catfish bait
River dolphins use echolocation adapted to turbid river environments rather than vision
They live in one of the most human-modified aquatic environments on Earth
The Yangtze finless porpoise, still extant but critically endangered, is in rapid decline

Welfare Considerations

River dolphins trapped in gillnets drown within minutes — a rapid but stressful death for an air-breathing mammal. Propeller strikes from increasing river traffic cause severe lacerations and death. River dolphins in heavily modified rivers experience reduced fish prey availability and habitat fragmentation from dams. The acoustic environment of rivers with heavy boat traffic interferes with echolocation, impairing foraging efficiency. Individual river dolphins face multiple simultaneous welfare stressors in what are among the most degraded aquatic habitats on Earth.

What You Can Do

Support organizations working on Ganges and Amazon river dolphin conservation
Advocate for gillnet restrictions in river dolphin habitat
Donate to the Yangtze finless porpoise conservation program
Reduce demand for catfish that is driving boto hunting in the Amazon
Engage with governments on river dolphin protection and boat speed regulations
Support river restoration projects that improve prey availability for river dolphins