Ganges River Dolphin
Platanista gangetica
The Ganges River Dolphin, a functionally blind freshwater cetacean that navigates by echolocation, survives in small numbers in Nepal's Karnali, Narayani, and Sapta Koshi river systems. Nepal's population of approximately 30 individuals represents the species' upstream range limit.
~30 in Nepal
Estimated population
↓Decreasing
Population trend
5
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_river_dolphin
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Artiodactyla
Family
Platanistidae
Genus
Platanista
Ganges River Dolphin belongs to the family Platanistidae, order Artiodactyla, within the Mammalia class.
Species Profile
The Ganges River Dolphin, a functionally blind freshwater cetacean that navigates by echolocation, survives in small numbers in Nepal's Karnali, Narayani, and Sapta Koshi river systems. Nepal's population of approximately 30 individuals represents the species' upstream range limit. These dolphins are indicators of river ecosystem health.
Dam construction (Koshi Barrage, Narayani barrages) fragments river habitat and prevents seasonal migrations. Bycatch in fishing nets, sand mining destroying deep pool habitat, pollution from agricultural runoff and urban waste, and declining fish stocks. Threats are intensifying.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Dam construction (Koshi Barrage, Narayani barrages) fragments river habitat and prevents seasonal migrations. Bycatch in fishing nets, sand mining destroying deep pool habitat, pollution from agricultural runoff and urban waste, and declining fish stocks. Threats are intensifying.
Agricultural & forestry effluents
Annual & perennial non-timber crops
Dams & water management/use
Earthquakes/tsunamis
Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources
Garbage & solid waste
Habitat shifting & alteration
Housing & urban areas
Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals
Logging & wood harvesting
Other ecosystem modifications
Other threat
Shipping lanes
Storms & flooding
Type Unknown/Unrecorded (pollution)
Conservation Actions
Found in 5 Countries
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/ganges-river-dolphin