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The critically endangered Indus River dolphin is one of only four remaining freshwater dolphins. It lives in Pakistan's Lab-e-Mehran Park, but a dam in the area has restricted the species movements during the migratory monsoon season. National dams have also damaged dolphin's habitat, eliminated the species ability to migrate and reduced water in rivers to a dangerously low level. Consequently, the Indus River dolphin has lost 80% of its original habitat and movement range.
Most remaining Indus River dolphins live in Sindh, a Pakistani province hosting a river located between two dams. Water pollution and industrial waste are frequently released into the river, including pesticides such as DDT, which has been found in animal's tissue. WWF has also reported that at least one dolphin dies each year after being tangled in fishing nets accidentally. Additionally, some dolphins have been trapped in irrigation canals, deep ponds, shallow pools and fields, after which they overheat or starve to death.
However, a government conservation programme has helped protect the Indus River dolphin from extinction. In 1972, only 132 dolphins remained, but recently 1,987 individuals were recorded. Furthermore, the government has provided locals with education and helped rescue stranded dolphins. The Sindh Wildlife Department also set up a hotline that locals must call if they spot a trapped dolphin. Consequently, many dolphins have been rescued, but there is currently no way of knowing if the dolphin survives after the rescue is complete.
One obvious solution to helping Indus River dolphins is to remove the dams, but this is highly unlikely to happen, as they are used to generate electricity, control flooding and provide irrigation.