KARACHI: The Indus dolphin population assessment survey covering an area of 194km from Guddu Barrage to Sukkur Barrage concluded on Thursday with a total count of 1,419 specimens during the four-day expedition.

Initially planned for five days, the survey led by the Sindh wildlife department (SWD) and carried out by 22 experts, including officials of the irrigation department and two female zoologists, was conducted after a gap of seven years. The last survey had found the population of the endemic species to be 918 in year 2011.

“We are happy to find that the population of this rare and endangered species has increased despite facing multiple threats,” said Mir Akhtar Hussain Talpur, SWD field officer and the team leader while speaking to Dawn.

The assessment concluded prior to its scheduled time because “stable but hot weather conditions helped the team achieve its goal and survey the specific area in less time,” he explained.

“Thankfully, the expedition concluded without any mishap, though this time around we had two women with us. The journey beginning in the morning used to end at sunset and the team camped at night along the river’s banks,” he shared.

When asked why the team didn’t opt for staying at some safe place at night, Mr Talpur, who has been part of such surveys for 24 years, said that dolphin population surveys had always been carried out in this manner.

Describing her experience as “amazing”, Dr Zaibunnisa, an assistant professor at the Shah Abdul Latif University’s department of zoology, Khairpur, said the journey was not just a great learning opportunity, but also removed misconceptions about katcha areas often considered to be dangerous.

“Villagers gave us so much respect everywhere. I will encourage my students to opt for fieldwork and explore Sindh’s wildlife,” she said, adding that though females were not allowed by their families to go on such trips, her family had no problem with her decision of joining the team.

Responding to another question, she said that apart from other factors, water shortage was a major threat to the Indus dolphin population.

Komal Hingoro, an MPhil student of Sindh University’s zoology department, the other female team member, was also fortunate to have a supportive family.

“I have a passion for seeing wildlife and I feel that I am lucky to get this chance,” she said, explaining that she had applied for a job at the wildlife department which contacted her for the survey.

The survey concluded with a press conference in the afternoon at Dolphin Conservation Centre in Sukkur where the team was received by Minister for Forest and Wildlife Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and other officials and presented with bouquets.

Journalists were briefed about the threats the Indus dolphin faced and the objectives of the survey during which samples of water and vegetation along the river’s banks were also collected.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2019