Endangered Ganges river dolphins have been found surviving in the Buriganga River, located near Dhaka city, despite it being one of Bangladesh’s most polluted waterways. A study published in the Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity reported approximately 20 dolphins inhabiting the river, which receives toxic industrial effluent, tannery discharges, untreated sewage, and solid waste daily.
Researchers conducted a 12-month survey from September 2023 to August 2024 along a 27-km stretch of the river. They observed dolphins for 10 of the 12 months, noting the highest numbers during the winter season. The average dolphin group size was 4.18 individuals. Native fish species have largely disappeared from the river, replaced by invasive suckermouth catfish.
Source: Mongabay