Indus river dolphin shot dead by villagers in Balochistan

KARACHI: A 20-month-old Indus river dolphin was shot dead by unidentified villagers in Balochistan on Sunday.

According to the Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD), the mammal had traveled at least 150 kilometres from Sukkur Barrage to Balochistan through the Kirthar Canal.

“It was spotted by the local irrigation staff,” said SWD provincial head Javed Ahmed Mahar. “The villagers shot it dead before the rescue team could reach the area,” he added.

Commenting on the matter, Sukkur Division Deputy Conservator Adnan Khan said his department is in contact with the Balochistan government to take legal action against the killers of the dolphin.

Officials said the dolphin was shot twice.

Though the SWD has initiated an investigation, no formal criminal case can be lodged by them as the killing took place within the limits of the Balochistan provincial government.

According to the last survey which was held in 2019, there were as many as 1,419 dolphins between the Guddu and Sukkur barrages. The area in which they were counted is called the Indus Dolphin Reserves.

The villagers who shot the dolphin have been bitterly criticized by social media activists.

“A tragedy beyond words. We have become a cruel society taught that it’s better to shoot first then ask questions later. Grieve the cruelty we have been indoctrinated into,” tweeted Karachi-based artist and activist Zulfikar Ali Bhutto junior.

“I understand there is much human misery in our province…When you kill an animal that represents the very river that feeds us, that breathes like us, rears it’s young like us. You have killed a part of Sindh,” he added.