Indus dolphin cub dies in fishing net in Dera Ghazi Khan

Dera Ghazi Khan – Endangered rare mammal Indus dolphin cub has fallen victim to a fishing contractor’s net—a tragic incident linked to the capture of pala fish, which is also a preferred food source for the species.

The dead dolphin cub was discovered in the jurisdiction of the District Dera Ghazi Khan police station, near the area of Shero Jadeed, Arain Wala Siper, towards the southeast. The carcass was found close to Pattan, a spot where villagers regularly use boats to cross the river.

One wildlife lover Atta Ullah advocate told minute mirror that he personally visited the site to assess the situation and came across the dolphin’s body and informed the wildlife department for further action .

According to local shepherds of area , contractors in the area use netting and other allegedly illegal fishing methods, which led to the dolphin’s unfortunate death, he added.

He further mentioned that the remaining probably parent of the dead cub dolphin were still present in the waters of the Indus adjacent to place where their cub was lying dead on earth.

Newly appointed Deputy Chief Ranger Wildlife, Amir Niazi, responding to queries, stated that they would first gather complete information and investigate the matter, after which legal proceedings would be initiated. He further maintained that a team had also been dispatched to the site to record evidence and retrieve the carcass for an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the Indus dolphin cub.

On the other hand, it is pertinent to note that while substantial funds are being spent on the safety of the endangered rare mammal, the Indus dolphin, it remains a matter of concern that whenever such incidents occur, the wildlife department receives information from local residents—not from its mobile teams.