September 15, 2002	Sunday	Rajab 7, 1423

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SUKKUR, Sept 14: A young male blind dolphin of the Indus, who was found stranded in a tributary canal in Dadu district, was rescued and released into its natural habitat in the river at Sukkur Barrage.

The survival of the Indus blind dolphin, one of the endangered species, is being assured by the Sindh Wildlife Department. The department is working in collaboration with the Lahore Zoo under the umbrella of the ENDP/GEF-funded project launched in 2000.

The blind Dolphin was found stranded in Johi tributary canal near Sita Road town in Dadu district. It is believed to have entered the water system by way of Dadu Canal.

A rescue party, constituted by the Sukkur Wildlife Division, had rushed to the area after receiving information about the stranded blind dolphin. The dolphin was rescued with help of the nets. It was brought back to the River Indus at Sukkur Barrage where it was safely released on Sept 13 after being measured and weighed. The dolphin appeared to be three to four years old and weighed 14 kilogrammes.

Scientists and researchers are lured by this fascinating mammal of the River Indus, because of its unique characteristic behaviour and its status on the endangered species list. Its population greatly declined as its natural habitat was fragmented and shrunken after construction of barrages along the river Indus. Siltation of the river bed and release of pollutants in the river also affect the dolphin population.