Poaching of Gangetic river dolphins in India



A Gangetic river dolphin



There are River dolphins in India and Bangladesh also. These dolphins are called Gangetic river dolphins. Their scientific name is Platanista Gangetica Gangetica. These dolphins have a long beak, and a triangular ridge for a fin.

Gangetic river dolphins are poached.

But what are the Gangetic river dolphins poached for?

These dolphins are killed by poachers for their fat which is made into oil for lamps.

 In India there are 2,000 Gangetic river dolphins. It is said that the Gangetic river dolphin population has declined by 50% over the last five decades.

These dolphins sometimes are accidently caught in the nets of fishermen.

A few months back, four Gangetic dolphins were killed and poachers were suspected. Later on, an investigation revealed that the poor dolphins had been trapped and then beaten to death. The proof was that the dolphins had several marks on their necks and heads.

Another problem for the Gangetic river dolphin is that the Ganga is getting polluted. The fish they eat are contaminated.

Poor dolphins! With all this they surely are getting extinct.

If you want to know more on the problems of the Gangetic river dolphin have a look at this link http://www.ecologyforchildren.com/wildlife-tales.html You will find an ecological tale about the Gangetic river dolphins here.