26 July 2026
Indus river dolphins benefit from new protected area in Pakistan
Pakistan’s government has officially notified a new protected area for the endangered Indus river dolphin, marking the first of its kind in Punjab. The protected stretch spans approximately 198 km and safeguards a critical habitat where the species is most concentrated in the province. This protected area has been named as Punjnad Indus River Dolphin Sanctuary, the […]
30 January 2026
China’s Yangtze finless porpoise population increases
Five years into the implementation of the 10-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River, the population of Yangtze finless porpoises has recovered to 1,426 individuals, an increase of 177 compared with the 2022 survey result. This represents a population growth of 14.17% over three years, with an average annual growth rate of 4.52%. Since the […]
31 December 2025
WWF celebrates of 25 years of dedicated Indus river dolphin conservation
WWF-Pakistan celebrated 25 years of dedicated Indus river dolphin (bhulan) conservation in December 2025 at a special event held in Islamabad. Coordinated efforts by WWF, government agencies, and local communities have helped this endangered freshwater dolphin population recover to an estimated 2,000 individuals. This milestone not only reflects a remarkable conservation success—nearly doubling the dolphin […]
15 December 2025
Amazon river dolphins in Guyana: existence of resident population
By Juana María Lara De la Rosa Photo credit: Fernando Trujillo, Omacha Foundation In southern Guyana, where the Takutu and Ireng rivers meander through rainforests and savannas, an ecological corridor connects the Amazon basin with the Guiana Shield. In this landscape of high biodiversity, science has confirmed an unprecedented fact: the existence of a resident […]
31 July 2025
Ramsar Resolution on river dolphins adopted at COP15
A resolution was adopted at COP15 that recognises river dolphins, and other inland wetland indicator species, as vital to the conservation and sustainable use of freshwater ecosystems. The resolution maintains strong provisions for reporting, monitoring, and cross-border collaboration and explicitly supports the survival of all remaining river dolphin species, all of which are threatened with […]
31 December 2024
India’s first ever comprehensive river dolphin survey
India’s first-ever comprehensive river dolphin survey has been completed, estimating a total of 6,327 river dolphins across the country. This total includes 6,324 endangered Ganges river dolphins found in the Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems, and only 3 Indus river dolphins located in the Beas River, Punjab. The survey covered 58 rivers and eight states, […]
18 December 2024
India conducts first ever Ganges river dolphin tagging
India has completed the first ever tagging of an endangered Ganges river dolphin. This was led by India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and implemented by the Wildlife Institute of India in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department and Aaranyak. The tagging operation took place in Assam, where a healthy male river dolphin […]
9 April 2024
Conservation Management Plan for Irrawaddy dolphins
The Irrawaddy freshwater dolphin is found in three river systems: the Ayeyarwady in Myanmar, the Mahakam in Indonesia and the Mekong in Cambodia. All three sub-populations are critically endangered due to a number of threats. Fishing practices and habitat degradation are the most urgent concerns. A Conservation Management Plan for the Irrawaddy dolphin was endorsed […]
23 November 2023
Cracking the Code: Understanding Biodiversity Loss and Its Impact on Amazon River Dolphin
By: Assaf Levy, BioDB In the vast expanse of the Amazon rainforest, where the vibrant tapestry of life intertwines with the meandering rivers, a silent crisis unfolds beneath the surface—the dwindling population of Amazon river dolphins. These iconic creatures, also known as pink river dolphins, are not just casualties of a localized environmental issue; their […]