Satellite tagging of Indus river dolphins:
In some parts of South America and Asia, a unique and beautiful
freshwater creature has always been the focus of worldwide attention, it is not
even a fish, but the glory of clean water. We all know it as 'Dolphin'.
The dolphin is considered as one of the oldest living creatures on earth.
According to some biologists, dolphins belong to the family of sharks and sea
turtles. The dolphin is a common mammal found in the oceans, but it also adorns
some of the world's major rivers, including the Indus river. Dolphins and
porpoises are found in several large rivers of two continents. These waters
include our river Indus.
The waters in which river dolphins live indicate the health of
the river and the freshness of its waters. That is, it is certain that no
dolphin in the world can survive in any dirty water. If a dolphin population is
growing in a freshwater reservoir, then the overall condition of this freshwater
system also indicates the full potential for flourishing. But if the dolphin
population is declining, it is considered a red flag and a wake-up call for the
region's ecosystem as a whole. And this indicates that the water of such a
river is becoming dangerous not only for dolphins but for the entire
environment.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is working with
countries with "river dolphins" these days to avoid direct
threats to different species of dolphins. So that policies and practices can be
changed to strengthen bye-catching and infrastructure, protect their habitats,
and strengthen scientific research. The WWF is engaged in very important and
constructive work towards finding long-term practical solutions to the
challenges facing river dolphins in different parts of the world.
The Indus River dolphin (scientifically named " Platanista gangetica minor"), and locally known as
"Bulhan" or "Blind Bulhan", is very different
from dolphins around the world in many respects. It is called the " Blind
Bulhan " because its eyes are so small that scientists believe that it
is practically blind, and can only perceive the level and direction of light
underwater. Indus River dolphins swim in the lower reaches of the Indus in
Pakistan, especially in areas just above Lloyd Barrage Sukkur.
Another small dolphin (similar to the sister of the Indus
dolphin) with similar beaks is also found in its isolated population in the Beas
River in India, also known as "Suso''. The uniqueness of this
"Suso '' dolphin is that it relies on unusually muddy river waters,
general communication, and eco-location for hunting.
Since the early 1930s, the construction of numerous dams and
barrages has severely affected the population of our 'Indus Dolphins' by
dividing them into small groups, their habitats and colonies, and these
constructions in their migration. By interfering, the Indus River dolphins
cause an early decline. These innocent dolphins are sometimes caught in
fishermen's nets as well as in irrigation trails and often face the dangers of
pollution.
The WWF has been working for a significant period to protect a
viable Indus dolphin population and its habitats (river colonies and
neighborhoods). When an individual dolphin is trapped in irrigation canals,
local WWF volunteers also take part in the rescue mission of the trapped
dolphin. A 'River Dolphin Hotline' has also been set up in Pakistan, on which
locals call when they see a dolphin in trouble and save his life.
As a continuation of these efforts, the World Wide Fund for
Nature (WWF) and its research partners are now, for the first time, tracking
river dolphins in the Amazon using satellite technology. These dolphins
are being fitted with a small device that will provide them with new insights
into their movements, attitudes, and the dangers they face. Which can be
monitored from any corner of the world and enables practical action to be taken
locally for any possible solution to any problem.
To protect dolphins around the world from natural and unnatural
hazards, scientists in Brazil, Colombia, and Bolivia successfully tagged
11 dolphins, including 'Amazon' and 'Bolivian River dolphins' by attaching
small transmitters to their bodies. ۔ These tags will help in better planning
for the protection of these dolphins and their habitats through the information
collected through satellite.
Despite the famous and unique status of river dolphins, little
is known about their population and habitat. The data obtained with the help of
this satellite tagging will help us to better study, among other important information
about them, what the dolphins eat and from a location in terms of changing
their habitat. How far they can travel to relocate.
Marcelo Oliveira, a WWF security expert who led the campaign in
Brazil, said: It will help to better understand, which will help us to change
our approach to protect them and the entire ecosystem. Tracing these dolphins
is the beginning of a new era for our work, as we will eventually be able to
create a map that will allow us to know when these dolphins are out of our
sight and Where do they go?
River dolphins are captured and tagged safely on time, following
strict protocols, which are completely tailored to the animal's welfare and
well-being priorities. ۔ During this process, special care is taken
to ensure that no dolphins are injured. Recently, the Indus Dolphin near Sukkur
Barrage was also subjected to satellite tagging under the same principles and
protocols and as a result, no dolphin showed any bad effect or impression after
being released after this temporary capture.
WWF professionals safely tag a river dolphin in the following
steps: And in the same way, about a month ago, three Indus Dolphins were
initially satellite-tagged for the first time.
Step 1: Local fishermen set nets in areas where they have seen dolphin’s
movement. The nets specially designed for this are very large and are designed
to cover a large part of the width of the river.
Step 2: Fishermen enter in the water with smaller nets, and gently
drag the dolphins into the nets one by one.
Step 3: They bring the dolphins to
the riverbank, where the scientists have set up a temporary camp.
Step 4: Aquatic biologists and biologists measure different types of
dolphin bodies and take samples.
Step 5: Scientists securely attach this 'chip' -like a tag to the
dolphin's body with 'dorsal art' and assign a specific code to the dolphin,
which becomes its identification number. Applying this satellite tag is as
simple as piercing a nail. As the dolphin's wings grow, the tag falls off in
about six months, meaning the dolphin needs to change the tag again after six
months. This tag, like a tracker in a car, not only keeps track of the
dolphin's range of motion, but also the changes that take place in its body. It
Keeps the control room informed of temperature and possible illnesses, its
dangers, and its changing physical conditions.
Step 6: The river dolphin is released back to its home (water) as soon
as possible after this tagging.
Step 7: This satellite tag sends information about the dolphin's
movement and location to the control room at least once a day. One tag is
capable of transmitting information for up to six months. Some tags last longer
than that.
"It's time to dump her and move on," said Jordi
Sorkin, director of the Amazon Region Coordination Unit's WWF. These dolphin
populations are still strong, and their habitats are in relatively good
condition. If we address the risks now, we can ensure a future for all. "
Concerns over the genocide of the Indus Valley dolphin (blind Bulhan),
especially in the last two or three decades, which has become a major problem
in nature, have been raised by the WWF. This revolutionary move has, at least,
turned into the satisfaction that this rare breed of Indus dolphin, now found
here, can be saved from unnatural death and extinction. Now, those who love the
region and the Indus River are quite convinced that with the help of the World
Wide Fund for Nature, we can save this "Indus Dolphin" from extinction.