Dolphins stranded

This Ganges dolphin was found floating dead in the Arial Khan river. Locals believe the endangered species died.

One of a small pod of Ganges River dolphins that was stranded in the Arial Khan river allegedly died of starvation although the Department of Fisheries (DoF) and locals took initiative to save them.
The death of the dolphin came as a shock to the locals, especially to the school-goers. Hundreds of locals including children came to see it.
The dolphin weighed 32 kilograms and was found floating dead in the river near Dhaka-Khulna highway. It was buried at the river bank.
In February this year, a pod of around 10 to 15 Ganges dolphins were spotted stranded in a pool of half a kilometre stretch in the Arial Khan River near Hajji Shariatullah Bridge in Shibchar. The pool formed as water receded and a char emerged.
The locals with the help of the DoF declared the part of the river off-limits to fishermen. They even put up a banner cautioning people not to fish there or disturb the dolphins.
Locals believe the small pool has run out of food.
Zahir Chowdhury, a local who put effort to save the dolphins, urged the government to ensure food for the rest of the pod.
Md Manirul Mamun, upazila fisheries officer, said new water has started flowing in the river. So it appears the animal did not die for lack of food. "There could be some other reasons behind it," he suspected.