Why are Ganges dolphins important?

Ganges River dolphins are top predators in their river ecosystems. They are important in controlling and maintaining healthy fish and crustacean populations, their primary sources of food. Unfortunately, these river dolphins are experiencing the adverse effects of human environmental impacts and are highly endangered.

Why are Indus River dolphins considered blind?

Indus and Ganges River dolphins are often referred to as blind dolphins because they live in naturally muddy rivers and after millions of years of evolution have lost their eyesight, instead of which they rely on a sophisticated sonar or echolocation system to navigate their way and catch prey.

What are blind dolphins?

The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater and is essentially blind. They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds, which bounces off of fish and other prey, enabling them to “see” an image in their mind. They are frequently found alone or in small groups, and generally a mother and calf travel together.

Why is blind dolphin called blind dolphin?

Platanista gangetica, the biological name of the Gangetic river dolphin, also called the “blind” river dolphin or the “side-swimming dolphin” is unique to India and an endangered species. “The Gangetic dolphin lost its eyes in the course of evolution to adapt to the muddy water of rivers.

Why the Ganges river dolphin became our national symbol?

The reason to declare Ganges River Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal of India was to save it from extinction. Also, the Ganges Dolphin is seen as the reflector of the health of the Ganga River. The declaration was made in 2009 in the National Ganga River Basin Authority’s (NGRBA) first meeting.

In which river of Pakistan blind dolphins are found?

Indus river dolphin
The Indus river dolphin is one of the world’s rarest mammals and the second most endangered freshwater river dolphin. It is one of the flagship species, which is only found in Pakistan and is an indicator of the biological health of the aquatic and terrestrial environment adjoining the Indus River.

Is white dolphin found in Pakistan?

The Indus river dolphin (Platanista minor), also known as the bhulan in Urdu and Sindhi, is a species of toothed whale in the family Platanistidae. It is endemic to the Indus River basin of India and Pakistan….

Indus river dolphin
Infraorder:	Cetacea
Family:	Platanistidae
Genus:	Platanista
Species:	P. minor

Is blind river dolphin really blind?

Locally known as Bhulan and only found in the River Indus — mainly in a 1,300-kilometer (807 mile ) long stretch between northeastern and southern Pakistan — the mammal is blind because it does not have a crystal eye lens.

Is blind dolphin really blind?

Although its eye lacks a lens (this species is also referred to as the “blind dolphin”), the dolphin still uses its eye to locate itself.

Where is blind dolphin found?

What might be the biggest issue for the Ganges River Dolphin?

Due to multiple threats, including pollution, water diversion, habitat fragmentation, and bycatch, the Ganges river dolphin is seriously threatened. Several major infrastructure projects within its region will impose a real risk for catastrophic population decline in the future.

Why do humans not eat dolphins?

Dolphin meat is high in mercury, and may pose a health danger to humans when consumed. Ringed seals were once the main food staple for the Inuit. They are still an important food source for the people of Nunavut and are also hunted and eaten in Alaska.