KARACHI, Feb 27: The Sindh Wildlife Department has rescued 31 Indus Dolphins while three died during the rescue operation carried out during the current season from August 2004 to January 2005.

Besides, a total of 12 Indus Dolphins were found dead in different irrigation canals originating from the Indus River. The department, under a project "Lahore Zoo outreach programme: Indus Dolphin Rescue", has been carrying out the rescue operations, funded by the UNDP's Small Grant Programme, since November 2000.

Between November 2000 and January 2005, more than 55 Indus Dolphins had been rescued, while seven died during the rescue operations and 12 dead dolphins and a skeleton were collected by the department.

Under the project, the department rescued the dolphins that have strayed away in different irrigation canals originating from the Indus River - habitat of the world famous Indus Dolphins - during the monsoon season when canal gates are opened fully to maintain water flow at the barrages; provide additional water to the agricultural lands; relocate and release the supply into the river.

The major reason that compels dolphins to leave their habitat is the decline in the number of small fishes, which comprise their food supply, in the Indus River. The rescue and relocation operation is carried out during annual closure of the canals in winter.

The biggest rescue operation of the current season was carried out near the Ruk Railway crossing on the Khirthar Canal on Jan 14. The wildlife department team, assisted by 10 local fishermen, conducted the rescue operation in about 30-metre-wide and 8-meter-deep pool of water under the railway bridge in Shikarpur district.

During the operation, a total of 13 dolphins - six males and seven females - were captured and later released near the Satyoon-Jo-Asthan between Rohri and Sukkur in the Indus River. Two of the male dolphins, however, died of stress during the rescue operation.

The fishermen and wildlife staff sailing on three boats and with the help of fishing nets trapped the mammals and transported them in the four-wheelers via Lakhi and reached Rohri covering approximately 40kms by road.

The dolphins after being caught are usually put on stretchers having water-soaked foam mattresses under them and wet towels over their bodies to maintain their body temperature.

Water is sprinkled continuously on the dolphins throughout the journey. Wildlife scientists examine them and take all the relevant data including measurements and record other physical features. The dolphins are also vaccinated before being released in the river.

The unique fresh water mammal - Indus Dolphin - is found only in Sindh. It originally inhabited the sea millions of years ago when the entire subcontinent was under sea water.

As the sea level fell, the dolphins that were captured in the rivers, adapted themselves to the silt-infested turbid river waters. They lost eyesight, but nature compensated them with a highly developed sonar system that helped them navigate and find food.

River dolphins are also found in other countries like Brazil, Vietnam, India, and Korea, but the unique feature of the Indus Dolphins is that they are blind, owing to which these are also called the blind dolphins.