The Indus River Dolphin

The Indus river dolphin (scientific name platanista minor) is a subspecies of river dolphin that inhabits the waters of the Indus River. It can grow 8.2 feet long, and it can weigh between 155 and 245 pounds. It is one of the four subspecies of river dolphin that spends its entire life in freshwater. It is functionally blind, only being able to hunt, navigate, and communicate as the result of echolocation. It eats species such as carp, prawns, and catfish.

The Indus river dolphin is classified as an Endangered species. It is this close to becoming extinct for three reasons. The first reason is that it gets stranded in the irrigation canals that have been constructed in its habitat. Because of this, one of the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF's) efforts to save it consists of educating the farmers around its habitat about how their inappropriate irrigation practices negatively impact it. The second reason is that it gets drowned by fishing nets, and it is hunted for its oil, meat, and body parts. Because of this, another one of the WWF's efforts to save it consists of educating the fishermen around its habitat who promote ecotourism activities, particularly dolphin watches, about the importance of protecting it. The third reason is that its habitat is polluted. Because of this, yet another one of the WWF's efforts to save it consists of educating the farmers around its habitat about how their indiscriminate use of toxic chemicals negatively impacts it. All of this is being done because it, like other subspecies of freshwater dolphin, is an important indicator of the health of its habitat.

Source for picture and all information: https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/indus-river-dolphin