The rescue involves using large nets of two types, one cotton net and one thick mosquito-net type. The team first chooses an easy access point which is the shortest distance from the canal to the road where the transport vehicle is parked as well as the slope from the river is not too steep. The team splits in half where both teams set up each of the nets in a way to enclose the animal and then the team with the mosquito net begins to move towards the other team, shortening the distance. Eventually, the animal moves towards the first team where it is eventually caught by hand.It is then placed on a metal cot with a foam mattress and lifted up to the truck after which it is transported to the release site.The main aspect to take care of is for it to not turn on its side as the weight of the animal ends up closing the blowhole. Also, the animal must be constantly hydrated. During the entire transport, a drum full of water is kept in the truck and the animal is covered with a blanket and constantly kept hydrated. Tummy rubs on the side help calm them down.During the latest rescue, TSA’s resident veterinarian Dr. Ashish Singh was routinely keeping a check on her heart rate and after showing initial signs of stress, she returned to a regular heart rate. He even detected arrhythmia related to pregnancy, confirming suspicions that she was pregnant.She was released at a site in Faizabad into the Sarju River - a tributary of the Ghaghara river. The Forest department officials chose the site having often observed several dolphins there, confirming that it was an ideal site. Post release, the rescue team waited until she surfaced again to make sure she was ok. The dolphin did surface about ten seconds after, bringing cheer to the entire team.This was the 15th rescue in last few years in the region.Gangetic female dolphins can reach a size of 2.67 m. Once found in large schools, now they are found alone or in twosomes. They have been losing their habitat, mostly to dams and irrigation projects which result in declining water in the rivers. The sound of motorised boats that run along the rivers, in increasing numbers, is also suspected to affect the communication among dolphins.There are fewer than around 3000 Gangetic dolphins left in India. They are among the four river dolphins found globally. Baiji, a freshwater dolphin found in China was driven to extinction due to human activities.A recent study published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa indicates a decline in the species inhabiting Sunderbans due to increased salinity and decreased freshwater flow.Compiled by Rishika Dubla
Photo credits: Rujan Sarkar (Cover)