Thickly knitted fishing gill nets have recently caused the death of another Gangetic Dolphin in the Bhagirathi River.
About Gangetic Dolphin:
It is a freshwater species and one of the few river dolphins found in the world.
It inhabits the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
Common Names: Blind dolphin, Ganges dolphin, Ganges susu, hihu, side-swimming dolphin, South Asian River Dolphin
Scientific name:Platanista gangetica
The Gangetic Dolphin has been recognized as India's National Aquatic Animal.
Description:
A long thin snout, rounded belly, stocky bodyand large flippers are characteristics of the Ganges River dolphin.
It feeds majorly on fishes and is are usually found in counter-current systems of the main river channel.
Its eyes lack lens, and as a result, this species is also referred to as the "blind dolphin".
They have a highly developed bio-sonar system that facilitates them to hunt for fish even in murky waters.
Being a mammal, the Ganges River dolphin cannot breathe in the water and must surface every 30-120 seconds. Because of the sound it produces when breathing, the animal is popularly referred to as the 'Susu'.
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