Effective conservation programme is needed to preserve about 1,000 blind dolphin species inhabiting the Indus river in Pakistan.
These blind dolphins are present between Jinnah Barrage, North Western Punjab to Kotri Barrage, Sindh covering about 1,500 kilometre areas of both the provinces.
The Indus Dolphin is in critical danger of extinction due to the extensive irrigation system on the Indus River.
The irrigation barrages have prevented the dolphins from passing through and have separated the population.
In addition, farming activity drains most of the Indus River water that the flow is drastically reduced and even dries up at some areas during the winter months.
For these reasons the population of the dolphins has drastically decreased in the last two to three decades.
Professional fishing tribes have been the principal predators for the dolphin. They hunt the dolphins for their oil or kill them as they also eat them. Sometimes, the dolphins get caught accidentally in the fishermen's nets and die as a result.
The specific name, minor, refers to the dolphins' supposedly smaller size. Until the 1970s, this species was thought to be the same as the Ganges River Dolphin.
This rare specie is being called by various names including Indus Susu as local name, Blind River Dolphin and Side-Swimming Dolphin.
The Indus River Dolphin has a long beak which thickens toward the tip, revealing the large teeth, the mouth line curves upward. The forehead is steep and the blowhole is on the left of the head, above the tiny, poorly-seeing eye.
Indus River Dolphins are grey-brown in colour, sometimes with a pinkish belly, and measure between 1.5 and 2.5m in length, weighing a maximum of 90 kg.
Breeding takes place on alternate years. Breeding takes place in shallow water not deeper than 1-1.5 m and reproductive season beings in March and lasts until May. Gestation period is estimated to be 10-l1 months long with birth season from April-May.
At birth, the young are dark grey in colour, weigh about 3-5 kg, and measures 0.30 - 0.36 m in length. The young stay close to their mother for the first 4-6 weeks of their life. The young suck their mother's milk until December. Individuals reach maturity in about 10 years and are estimated to live about 28 years.
According to reports prepared by various international organisations, the Indus River Dolphin is the only cetacean to inhabit the Indus river, Pakistan.
The Indus River Dolphins found only in Pakistan now have suffered as a result of incidental and direct exploitation. They have been accidentally caught in fishing nets, but have also been hunted for meat, oil and traditional medicines. They are now fully protected in all of their range.
The most recent population survey was done in 2001, by WWF-Pakistan, the Wildlife Departments of Sindh, the Punjab and the NWFP, the Adventure Foundation of Pakistan, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society of UK and group Leaders.
During the survey 965 dolphins were counted in the river system. The number of mammals counted is greater than earlier estimates of 500 to 700. It could, however, not be considered enough to take the species of the endangered list... (all above information from Cetacea Online, Survey of Pakistan Indus river dolphins 2001, and Animal Info).
When asked about measures to preserve this endangered species, Deputy Director WWF, Dr Mohammad Ijaz said the federal as well as both the provincial governments of Punjab and Sindh should take effective measures in this regard with the support of local residents of relevant areas and NGOs working on this subject.
To preserve this rare Indus blind dolphin, legal protection must be effectively enforced, priority needs to be given to educating the fishermen and public about the importance of this dolphin and the need for its protection.
As there is no Dolphin Reserve in Punjab, the creation of a Dolphin Reserve (below Taunsa above Guddu Barrages) should be taken into consideration.
Attention should be paid to conservation of this species and its habitat. By taking measures to reduce pollution especially from factory effluent, the dolphin's habitat can be effectively protected.
Scientists should be encouraged to carry out research, especially on biological and genetically aspects of this river dolphin.
Participation of local residents of relevant areas should be ensured in conservation programme by creating awareness through media and local newspapers, magazines, seminars, workshops, etc.