Bhubaneswar: The dolphin population in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park and Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary has declined by 11 this year, with 493 dolphins counted compared to 504 last year. The forest department conducted a three-day census, covering areas from Dhamra estuary to Debi estuary, including rivers and creeks.
The census revealed the presence of five dolphin species: Irrawaddy, Bottlenose, Humpback, Paripais, Finless, and Gangetic. Notably, Humpback dolphins were spotted in greater numbers near Babubali and Habalikhati.
This marks a shift from the usual practice of counting dolphins only in Chilika, with Bhitarkanika included in the census since 2015. The decline in dolphin numbers raises concerns about conservation efforts in the region.
