DOLPHIN CENSUS

NEWS: Odishaàrecorded its highest marine dolphin population in five years, with 765 individuals counted in the 2026 state-wide census

ABOUT

• The Dolphin Census àAnnual scientific population estimation exercise
• Conducted by the Wildlife Wing of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Odisha
• Total Population: 765 dolphins (highest in 5 years).

Key Conservation Zones:

• Chilika Lake – 159 Irrawaddy dolphins (largest single-area concentration globally).
• Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary – 474 Humpback dolphins.
• Indicates stable to improving trends due to habitat protection and community participation.

Dolphin:

• Aquatic marine mammals belonging to the order Cetacea
• Inhabit oceans, coastal waters, estuaries, and some freshwater systems.
• Irrawaddy Dolphinà Classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.