The Forests and Environment Department began counting of dolphins in Bhitarkanika under Rajnagar block in Kendrapada district on Sunday. The annual dolphin census is undertaken in the sea between Dhamra and the Devi river mouth as well as in the rivulets and creeks within the Bhitarkanika mangrove wetland, informed the department. As many as nine teams have been constituted for the dolphin headcount. Official sources said the counting is being carried out under the guidance of researcher Dr Muntaz Khan. Each team comprises three to five forest and wildlife experts.
While five teams are engaged for counting in the sea, four are conducting the counting in rivers and creeks. A day before the counting, the officials had imparted training on species identification, sighting and recording on Saturday to facilitate the census.
Notably, as many as five species of dolphins, Irrawaddy, Bottle Nose, Hump Back, Finless Porpoise and Gangetic, are sighted off the coast along Bhitarkanika. These would also be counted to see if the dolphins of Risso’s and Spinner species are seen off the coast. It is reported that whales would also be enumerated if they are found during the offshore count. Dolphins have been counted in Bhitarkanika in last five years, according to a decision by the State Forests and Environment Department. Earlier, a dolphin census had been conducted in the Chilika lagoon.