Shocking Video Shows An Endangered Gangetic Dolphin Hacked To Death For Fun In UP's Pratapgarh
At a time when the government and various agencies are doing everything they can to save the Gangetic Dolphins, a shocking video has emerged from Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh showing a group of men killing a dolphin, using axes.
According to reports, the video is at least a week old and the dolphin had accidentally strayed into a stream in Kotharia village, where the men used axes to hack it to death.
In the video, one person, who, it appears to be recording the act can be heard asking others not to kill the dolphin, but the group was in no mood to listen.
Endangered dolphins
The dolphins are listed as 'endangered' in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List.
They can only live in freshwater and is essentially blind. They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds, which bounces off of fish and other prey, enabling them to ¡°see¡± an image in their mind. They are frequently found alone or in small groups, and generally a mother and calf travel together.
Though due to the recent conservation efforts, their numbers have slightly increased, it is estimated that there are less than 2,000 of these freshwater species left.
Last year, in his independence day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced 'Project Gangetic Dolphin' this Independence Day for the?conservation of Gangetic dolphins.?
In October, on the occasion of?Gangetic Dolphin Day, a first-of-its-kind dolphin safaris?were started at six places in the country, including near Haiderpur Wetland in Ganga in Bijnor.
