Posts Tagged ‘river dolphins’
WDC to help Nepal’s river dolphins now on the brink of extinction
The Ganges River dolphin is one of the most threatened freshwater dolphins in the world. They live in rivers of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. Nepal’s rivers all flow into the Ganges River in India and the dolphins in Nepal are living in the upstream extremes of their range. Serious concerns have been raised again in…
Read MoreBangladesh bans ships in endangered dolphin sanctuary
The Bangladesh government has taken action to ban the movement of shipping traffic indefinitely in the Shela river in the Sundarbans region of the country. The announcement came after a ship carrying over a thousand tonnes of coal capsized, leading to concerns about potential pollution in the river. In 2014, the area was previously hit by…
Read MoreReserve created in Bengal to save river dolphins
Bengal in India will soon have the country’s first community reserve for the endangered Ganges River dolphin, which inhabits the major rivers of the sub-continent. The reserve would be created over 500km of the Hooghly river, a stretch of the Ganges between Malda and the Sundarbans. It is hoped it will be designated with the…
Read MoreIndus River dolphins be dammed!
Dolphins living close to humans face more threats than those that live far from land and far from human intervention. Dolphins found in coastal and riverine environments therefore are in more immediate danger of extirpation. I recently gave an overview of the situation facing Nepal’s remaining dolphins where the biggest threat to their continued survival…
Read MoreNew ancient river dolphin species discovered
Scientists have discovered a new genus and species of river dolphin that has long been extinct. They have named it Isthminia panamensis in recognition of where it was found and believe it is the closest relative of the Amazon River dolphin (boto). Scientists made their discovery in ancient marine rocks of Panama, Central America. These…
Read MoreIndia to undertake Ganges River dolphin survey
According to reports in the Straits Times, the Indian government is to undertake the first official count of Ganges River dolphin in the Ganges River. The survey will be carried during the drier winter months as the government commits to trying to improve the health of the river. Pollution is a major issue while habitat loss…
Read MoreStop the River Dolphin Slaughter: WDC presents Brazilian Public Prosecution Service with 176,599 signatures
WDC is working with Rafael da Silva Rocha, of the Brazilian Public Prosecution Service, and other partners in Brazil to stop the brutal slaughter of Amazon River dolphins, known locally as ‘botos’. Thank you to everyone who signed our letter of support to Rafael. Our Brazilian colleague Sannie Brum (from the Piagacu Institute in Brazil)…
Read MoreRiver dolphin killed by poachers in India
A rare Ganges river dolphin (also known as the South Asian river dolphin or susu) has reportedly been killed by poachers in a canal in Uttar Pradesh, India. The poachers removed the dolphin and took it back to their village. Local authorities have subsequently arrested one person in connection with the incident. The Ganges river…
Read MoreCelebrating 10 Years of Successful Amazon River Dolphin Conservation!
2015; IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE NATUTAMA’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY! And there is much to celebrate! Natutama, founded with WDC help in 2005, is ten years old. The Natutama team have worked successfully together with local communities to protect wildlife and the surrounding environment of Puerto Narino in the heart of the Colombian Amazon. Together they have…
Read More3000 children in Iquitos make a pledge to protect river dolphins
WDC has helped Solinia, a conservation group in Peru, deliver environmental education events in schools and communities. Solinia has awarded over 3000 certificates to children in the past year. Each child has completed all the activities and challenges with the help and guidance of Solinia volunteers; they have written and heard conservation stories, painted and…
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