We have featured dolphins – Hector’s dolphin of New Zealand, and the apex predator that is the Orca (or ‘killer whale’) …. introducing the very unique dolphins that live in freshwater systems – rivers!
River dolphins are a polyphletic group of fully aquatic mammals that reside exclusively in freshwater or brackish water. They are an informal grouping of dolphins, which itself is a paraphyletic group within the Cetacea. .
The baiji – Lipotes vexillifer, Lipotes meaning “left behind” and vexillifer “flag bearer”) is a possibly extinct species of freshwater dolphin native to the Yangtze river system in China. It is thought to be the first dolphin species driven to extinction due to the impact of humans. This dolphin is listed as “critically endangered: possibly extinct” by the IUCN, has not been seen in 40 years, and several surveys of the Yangtze have failed to find it. In China, the species is also called the Chinese river dolphin, Han river dolphin, Yangtze dolphin and whitefin dolphin .(Source: Wikipedia)
The Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is a species of toothed whale classified in the family Platanistidae. It lives in the Ganges and related rivers of South Asia, namely in the countries of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. . It is related to the much smaller Indus river dolphin of northwestern India.
It is also known by the name susu (popular name) or “Sisu” (Assamese language) and shushuk (Bengali) . The Ganges river dolphin has been recognized by the Government of India as its National Aquatic Animal. (Source: Wikipedia)
Regarding freshwater rivers…… Two billion people rely directly on rivers (freshwater systems) for their daily drinking water….and these river systems provide fish and other food resources… so that protecting these same river systems is critical for humans and Nature.
Here are WWF educational resources on the Freshwater Dolphins_1h5ehor4pn_Educators_ToolKit_FRESHWATER_DOLPHIN_Revised
