The Indus River dolphin is one of the world's rarest mammals, with only around 1,100 remaining in the lower reaches of the Indus River in Pakistan. The population has declined significantly due to water pollution, poaching, habitat fragmentation from dams, and dolphin strandings in irrigation canals. The Indus River dolphin has a long beak, stocky body, and low triangular hump instead of a dorsal fin, and can be found in freshwater areas of the Indus River system where it feeds on fish and invertebrates.

1. The Indus River
dolphin (Platanista minor)
is one of the world's rarest mammals and the second most
endangered freshwater river dolphin.

2. Approximately 1,100 specimens of this species exist today in a small
fraction of their former range, the lower reaches of the Indus River
in Pakistan.
However, the population of this species has gradually declined
because of various factors, including water pollution, poaching,
fragmentation of habitat due to barrages, and dolphin strandings in
the irrigation canals.

3. Habitat
Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan
Range States
Pakistan
Ecological Region
Indus river Delta & Rann of Kutch
Endemism
Indus river system of Pakistan
Interesting Facts
The Indus River dolphin sometimes carries its young on its back,
above the surface of the water.

4. The Indus River Dolphin has a long beak and a stocky
body. It has a low triangular hump on its back in place of a 'true'
dorsal fin. It is gray-brown in color, sometimes with a pinkish belly.
The eyes are extremely small, resembling pinhole openings slightly
above the mouth. The Indus River dolphin measures between 1.5 -
2.5 m (5 - 8') in length and weighs 80 - 90 kg (180 - 200 lb). It is
found exclusively in freshwater, living not only in the main
channels, but also, during the flood season, in seasonal tributaries
and the flooded lowlands. These dolphins favor silt-laden, turbid
waters, at temperatures between 8 - 33�C (46 - 91�F).

5. The Indus River dolphin feeds mostly on several species of fish and
invertebrates. It does much of its feeding at or near the bottom,
using echolocation, swimming on one side, and probing the river
bottom with its snout and its flipper. Although it is not usually
considered to be gregarious, relatively high densities are found at
sites where rivers join, in areas where the current is relatively weak,
off the mouths of irrigation canals, and near villages and ferry
routes.
Sajid khan
Sajidkhan707@yahoo.com
Sahiwal
Pakistan

6. +923009691327