Sindh

Over two dozen blind dolphins stranded

Wildlife dept officials assure of safe rescue

Sameer Mandhro December 20, 2021

Two officials of the Sindh wildlife department fish out a deceased Indus dolphin from the river. A 2019 wildlife census found over 1,400 of the endangered species in Sukkur. PHOTO:FILE

KARACH:

At least 27 Indus blind dolphins have been sighted in various canals of the river downstream the Sukkur Barrage, officials of the Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) told The Express Tribune on Sunday.

Four more endangered Indus blind dolphins have reportedly been sighted in the water canals some 175 kilometres from their homes. Nine dolphins were already sighted at different places of district Larkano, Khairpur and Shikarpur.

The officials posted at Sukkur Indus Dolphin Sanctuary said that the stranded dolphins won't be rescued because of the current water flow, claiming none of them was under any threat. On Wednesday, the Sindh Wildlife Department's (SWD) officials were informed by the local villagers near Mirwah, a water canal located in Thari Mirwah of district Khairpur.

"We were informed about four dolphins sighted in the canal," said Sukkur division's Deputy Conservator Adnan Hamid Khan.

But, he clarified, our team have spotted only three so far. He said that the officials have been deployed for monitoring the moments of the mammals. Khan said that the rescue operation was halted because of the technical reasons.

"It is not possible to bring them back to their home now," he explained. He said that the rescue team has to wait until the water flow supports the operation. "It's Kharif crops season," Khan said. "Everyone needs water to save their drying crops," he added. "We cannot compel the irrigation department to close the gates," he said, adding that the mammals were out of danger. "We have to wait patiently."

Locations of stranded dolphins

Officials informed The Express Tribune that they have spotted 27 dolphins stranded at different locations.

Three in Dadu Canal, three in Mirwah Canal, four in Khirthar Canal, six in Rohri Canal, three in Nara Canal, two in Putt Feeder, four in Ghotki Feeder, and two in the Abul Wah-Khairpur Feeder West. Sources told that two to three more dolphins were sighted at different locations.