Wildlife
Nick Whitney
Platanista Gangetica, more commonly known as the Ganges River Dolphin, is an endangered species that can only survive in freshwater environments. Blind, the Ganges River Dolphin uses echolocation to hunt for food, as do most porpoises. Echolocation is a simple concept; it is the inspiration for sonar. The dolphins emit sounds that travel through the sea until they bounce off an animal or object and back to the dolphin; the brain analyzes the returned ‘echo’ and the dolphin then classifies the object as predator or prey. The dolphin, discovered in 1801, is 7-8.9 feet and weighs from 330-374 pounds. The current population puts the dolphin on the endangered species list, with only about 1200-1800 living dolphins.
The World-Wildlife fund in India works around the clock to keep the dolphin population healthy and give them better living conditions. One of the larger problems facing the dolphins is that there are so many dams in the Ganges that groups are isolated in certain areas. The WWF works to stop dolphins from getting caught in fishing nets and intentionally taken out. With the dams
isolating the dolphins, it because much easier for people to trap them. The dams don’t just trap dolphins, they trap fish. This helps fisherman to find fish more easily, but also presents the larger of a dolphin getting twisted in a net. The WWF also talks to local communities near major dolphin habitats, raising awareness of the dolphin problem and listing ways to help. The WWF discourages
commercial fishing and sand-mining, and highly suggests that communities not dump waste into the river and replant trees and other plants along the river bank. The use of more natural fertilizes is also encouraged in order that harmful chemicals are kept away from the river as much as possible.
The WWF also gives a three step plan for people to help both the dolphins and all other animals. The first step involves making officials aware of the problem and getting groups of people to help out and become more environmentally friendly.
The second step is making sure to keep yourself updated with WWF news to relay to others as soon as possible to create a fast and effective response. Thirdly, they suggest “adopting” animals that you like to help fund the organization and its efforts to protect animals and the environment worldwide.
The World-Wildlife fund in India works around the clock to keep the dolphin population healthy and give them better living conditions. One of the larger problems facing the dolphins is that there are so many dams in the Ganges that groups are isolated in certain areas. The WWF works to stop dolphins from getting caught in fishing nets and intentionally taken out. With the dams
isolating the dolphins, it because much easier for people to trap them. The dams don’t just trap dolphins, they trap fish. This helps fisherman to find fish more easily, but also presents the larger of a dolphin getting twisted in a net. The WWF also talks to local communities near major dolphin habitats, raising awareness of the dolphin problem and listing ways to help. The WWF discourages
commercial fishing and sand-mining, and highly suggests that communities not dump waste into the river and replant trees and other plants along the river bank. The use of more natural fertilizes is also encouraged in order that harmful chemicals are kept away from the river as much as possible.
The WWF also gives a three step plan for people to help both the dolphins and all other animals. The first step involves making officials aware of the problem and getting groups of people to help out and become more environmentally friendly.
The second step is making sure to keep yourself updated with WWF news to relay to others as soon as possible to create a fast and effective response. Thirdly, they suggest “adopting” animals that you like to help fund the organization and its efforts to protect animals and the environment worldwide.