Distribution of Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor) in Dera Ismail Khan range Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

To assess the status of the Indus River dolphin, Platanista gangetica minor, and to analyze the threats to
their lives, a survey extending upto 103.5 km was conducted in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) of
Pakistan in March 2012. It was conducted in the Indus River and its tributaries. The sum of best group
size estimates produced an abundance estimate of 35 Dolphins. From Miran to Ramak in the Indus River
approximately 48.57% of the dolphin population occurred in 27 km of river length, 0.33% of the dolphin
population occurred in 46 km of river length from Dera Ismail Khan Bridge to Miran in the Indus River and
0.1% of the dolphin population occurred in 30.5 km of river length from Saggu to D.I. Khan Bridge. The
density of dolphins was highest between Miran and Ramak in the Indus River. Increase in dolphin
abundance was observed in a downstream direction. Threats to dolphins include too much vessel traffic,
disturbance by the crane and duck hunters, high levels of anthropogenic threat and no effective
measures for their conservation. River dolphins are particularly vulnerable to the activities of humans
because of their restricted habitat. Threats vary geographically in their importance, but generally include
accidental killing during fishing operations, habitat loss and population fragmentation from water
development. Deliberate killing for dolphin products also threatens the animals. Recommendations are
given for conservation.