Endangered dolphins found off BD

Sunday, October 12, 2008 DHAKA: The world’s largest population of vulnerable Irrawaddy dolphins — famed as aquarium attractions — has been found in Bangladesh’s waters, according to a five-year wildlife study. Until now, it was believed the small light-grey mammal was threatened and the International Union of Conservation of Nature had put five of its Southeast Asian populations on its list of critically endangered animals. But the study, launched in 2003 by the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society and the Bangladesh Cetacean Diversity Project, has counted 5,832 Irrawaddy dolphins along Bangladesh’s coast and estuaries. “It’s by far the biggest population of Irrawaddy dolphins in the world,” said project director Brian Smith of the Wildlife Conservation Society. “It’s very good news for all of us,” he said. The... [read full story]