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Dolphin Boom in Chilka Lake
Why is it in News
- Population of dolphin in Chilka Lake has been doubled compared to last year.
Details:
- Three species were recorded during the census – Irrawaddy, Bottlenose, Humpback dolphins.
- Total 544 dolphins were observed compared to 233 last year.
- Highest growth was observed in Humpback dolphins and increased from 2 in 2020 to 281 in 2021.
- Irrawaddy dolphin:
(1) It is a euryhaline species of oceanic dolphin.
(2) They found near sea coasts and in estuaries and rivers in parts of the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia.
(3) It has a slate blue to a slate grey colour.
(4) The IUCN lists five of the seven subpopulations as endangered, primarily due to drowning in fish nets.
- Humpback dolphin:
(1) It is a member of the Delphinidae family,
(2) It occupies coastal areas ranging from Southern Africa to Western Indochina.
(3) Most specimens remain in waters shallower than 20 meters.
(4) Indian Ocean humpback dolphins experience extremely high rates of calf and juvenile mortality.
(5) Mortality is due to anthropogenic disturbances such as environmental pollution, habitat deterioration and noise pollution.
(6) The majority of their diet is composed of sciaenid fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans.
(7) The species is currently categorized as Endangered.
Source: The Hindu