For the first time, researchers tagged a Ganges River Dolphin in Assam, India. This collaborative effort between the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the Assam Forest Department, and Aaranyak involved tagging a healthy male dolphin and releasing it back into the river. The tagging will help scientists study the dolphin’s movements, habitat use, and distribution, especially in areas where the river is fragmented or degraded. The Ganges River Dolphin, India’s national aquatic animal, is nearly blind and relies on echolocation. Its population has significantly declined, and knowledge about its ecology remains limited due to its elusive nature. This tagging project, part of Project Dolphin, aims to address these knowledge gaps and develop effective conservation strategies for this apex predator, crucial for the health of the river ecosystem and the people who depend on it. The Union Environment Minister and project leaders celebrated this milestone as a significant step towards protecting the species.
