Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin(Sousa plumbea)

The rivers of South Asia are home to two distinct and endangered subspecies of river dolphins: the Indus and the Ganges river dolphin. These fascinating creatures have adapted to their unique aquatic environments and are known for their extended snouts and echolocation capabilities. Both are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Indus river dolphin, endemic to Pakistan, saw a ban on hunting in the 1970s, and while their numbers have increased, the population remains small. They are now threatened by habitat loss due to water diversion, population fragmentation, and bycatch. The Ganges river dolphin, found in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, has a higher population but still faces serious threats, including pollution, habitat fragmentation, and bycatch. Major infrastructure projects in their region could lead to future catastrophic population declines.

Photo: Gill Braulik

Greatest threats to their Population​

Habitat Degradation

Coastal development, pollution, and habitat degradation pose a significant threat to the Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin's natural habitat. Human activities along the coasts lead to habitat loss and disruptions that affect their survival.

Entanglement and Bycatch

These dolphins are susceptible to bycatch, primarily in fishing gillnets and other fishing gear. Accidental entanglement in fishing equipment results in injuries and mortalities among the dolphins.

Climate Change

The impact of climate change, including rising sea temperatures and altered prey availability, affects the food sources of these dolphins and disrupts their feeding patterns. This environmental change poses a challenge to their survival.

Photo: Whalesharkbb

The NMMF IN ACTION

The NMMF is working in close collaboration with local experts conducting site surveys along the Kenyan coast to record sightings of this endangered species to better understand habitat usage and inform conservation measures. Just weeks ago, our team helped organize and participated in the first Marine Mammal Stranding Workshop in Watamu, Kenya which will improve capacity building for responding to stranded cetaceans along the Kenyan coast.

We are also helping establish a photo-ID catalog to automatically identify individuals and we are helping integrate the use of GIS to allow for spatial mapping of survey and sighting data. These collective efforts aim to ensure the survival of these unique dolphins, all while fostering community participation and informed, science-driven decision-making within conservation strategies.