Argus News - 18 Teams Deployed For Dolphin Count In Asia’s Largest Brackish Water Lagoon

Bhubaneswar, Jan 20: The annual dolphin counting exercise has commenced in Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, with 18 teams deployed across two forest ranges to carry out the survey.


According to officials, eight teams are operating from the Satapada range, while 10 teams have been assigned to the Balugaon range. The teams will simultaneously cover designated stretches of the lagoon to record dolphin sightings, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of the population.


The census is a crucial initiative undertaken every year to monitor the health and numbers of Irrawaddy dolphins, a flagship species of Chilika.


The exercise not only helps track population trends but also provides insights into the ecological balance of the lagoon, which is home to diverse aquatic life.


Forest officials emphasized that the synchronized survey method allows for accurate estimation, minimizing duplication of sightings. The data collected will be compiled and analyzed to inform conservation strategies and strengthen protection measures for the dolphins.


The dolphin count has drawn attention from conservationists and researchers alike, as Chilika Lake remains one of the few habitats where Irrawaddy dolphins thrive in significant numbers.


State Dolphin Population in 2025

According to the annual population estimation of dolphins and cetaceans for 2024–25, conducted by the State Wildlife Wing last year, Odisha is home to 710 dolphins. The three-day enumeration exercise was carried out from January 27 to 29.


The estimation recorded 188 Irrawadi dolphins, 498 Humpback dolphins, 16 Bottle-nose dolphins and eight Spinner dolphins across the state.


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Mangrove (Wildlife) Division, Rajnagar, recorded the highest number with 505 dolphins, including 470 Humpback dolphins, 22 Irrawadi dolphins, five Bottle-nose dolphins and eight Spinner dolphins.


Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, Chilika, recorded the highest population of Irrawadi dolphins at 159, along with 15 Humpback dolphins. Thirteen Humpback dolphins were spotted in the marine ecosystem of Berhampur division. Seven Bottle-nose dolphins and seven Irrawadi dolphins were counted in Puri (Wildlife) and Balasore (Wildlife) divisions respectively, while Bhadrak Wildlife Division recorded four Bottle-nose dolphins.