Good news! Scientists found many dolphins in Bangladesh

The Ganges river dolphin

The Ganges river dolphin

The Irrawaddy dolphin

The Irrawaddy dolphin

Hi all,

as you are worried about endangered species, I thought you would be delighted to hear that biologists have found a group of 6,000 Irrawaddy dolphins (see pictures) which were thought to be at risk of dying. These dolphins live in rivers and deltas from southern Asia to northern Australia. 

However the scientists say that these dolphins need to be protected because they risk to get entangled in fishing nest and also because there are less freshwaters because of dam construction. 

The scientists also say that global warming was also a threat to the dolphins. Indeed as the Himalayan glaciers shrink, the sea levels will raise and the river flows will change and thus the habitat of these dolphins will be at threat as they need water with very little salt. 

The scientists are now working with the Bangladesh government to create areas to protect the dolphin and for another species, the Ganges river dolphin. Let's hope they create these protected areas soon. 

al (Jyoti and Melchior's mum)

If you want to read the whole story with your parents or Miss Marsh, check the NY Times Article