Dolphin Census in Odisha
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: DTE
Context: Odisha has recorded its highest marine dolphin population in five years, with 765 individuals counted in the 2026 state-wide census.
About Dolphin Census in Odisha:
What It Is?
• The Dolphin Census is an annual scientific population estimation exercise to assess the abundance, distribution, and diversity of dolphins and other cetaceans in Odisha’s marine and estuarine ecosystems.
Conducted By: It is conducted by the Wildlife Wing of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Odisha, involving forest officials, marine experts, and field personnel using boat- and shore-based transect surveys.
Outcomes of 2026 Census:
• Total Population: 765 dolphins (highest in 5 years).
• Species-wise Distribution: Humpback dolphins – 497 Irrawaddy dolphins – 208 Bottlenose dolphins – 55 Spinner dolphins – 3 Finless porpoise – 2
• Humpback dolphins – 497
• Irrawaddy dolphins – 208
• Bottlenose dolphins – 55
• Spinner dolphins – 3
• Finless porpoise – 2
• Key Conservation Zones: Chilika Lake – 159 Irrawaddy dolphins (largest single-area concentration globally). Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary – 474 Humpback dolphins.
• Chilika Lake – 159 Irrawaddy dolphins (largest single-area concentration globally).
• Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary – 474 Humpback dolphins.
• Indicates stable to improving trends due to habitat protection and community participation.
About Dolphin:
What It Is?
• Dolphins are aquatic marine mammals belonging to the order Cetacea and are known for their intelligence, social behavior, and echolocation abilities.
Habitat: They inhabit oceans, coastal waters, estuaries, and some freshwater systems. In India, major habitats include Chilika Lake and coastal marine zones.
IUCN Status:
• The Irrawaddy Dolphin is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• Dolphins are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Types Found in Odisha:
• Humpback Dolphin
• Irrawaddy Dolphin
• Bottlenose Dolphin
• Spinner Dolphin
• Finless Porpoise (closely related cetacean)
Key Characteristics of Dolphins:
• Highly intelligent with advanced communication systems: Dolphins exhibit problem-solving skills and communicate using clicks, whistles, and body movements.
• Use echolocation for navigation and hunting: They emit sound waves that bounce off objects, helping them detect prey and obstacles underwater.
• Social animals living in pods: Dolphins live in structured groups (pods) for protection, hunting cooperation, and social bonding.
• Slow breeding rate (especially Irrawaddy dolphins): They have long gestation periods and produce few offspring, limiting rapid population growth.
• Indicators of marine ecosystem health: Their presence reflects healthy water quality, fish abundance, and balanced coastal ecosystems.