Grim Prospect For River Dolphins In Nepal

Six months of field research conducted by WWF along Nepal’s longer river, the Karnali, has shown that river dolphin populations are more endangered than ever. River dolphins are one of the most endangered of all the world's cetaceans and are extremely vulnerable to extinction. Once abundant, the overall population of Gangetic river dolphins (Platanista gangetica) has been reduced to probably fewer than 100 in Nepal. Dr Chandra Gurung, WWF Nepal’s Country Representative says” “Dolphins in the Karnali face the threat of local extinction unless conservation efforts are stepped up immediately”. Habitat loss and hunting by humans are the main causes for the decline.