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Four dolphins saved

KARACHI: Provincial Secretary Wild Life and Forest Shamsul Haq Memon said on Friday that four rare Indus blind dolphins were saved in a rescue operation while three dead have been preserved.

He was presiding over a high-level meeting of the department which reviewed the performance of rescue operation. He said during the on-going canal desilting (Bhal Safai) campaign few dolphins were slipped away in a speedy water current to various canals due to opening of Sukkur Barrage gates.

He said three dolphins were found dead in Dadu Canal near Dokri, Abbal Wah near Pir Jo Goth and Rohri Canal near Daraz Sharif.

A rescue team was constituted consisting of officials of Sukkur Wild Life, representatives of World Wildlife Fund (WWF), scientists Richard Garstang, Miss Gill, Toosi and Safdar Durrani which after a round-the-clock effort located four live male and female dolphins from Rice canal, Abbal Wah, Dadu canal and Kirthar canal.

Memon said later these dolphins were carried to their original home near Rohri in the presence of all scientists; representatives of WWF and journalists for the preservation of this extinct species.

The tissues and other organs of three dead dolphins were preserved after post-mortem.

Sindh Minister for Wild Life and Forest Iftikhar Soomro has appreciated the effort of rescue operation team and said this will go a long way in the preservation of Indus dolphin.ÑAPP