Gangetic Dolphin (Susu)
Platanista gangetica gangetica
India's National Aquatic Animal and the flagship species of the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary. A freshwater dolphin found in the Ganga river system, functionally blind and adapted to navigate and hunt in turbid river water using echolocation.
Habitat
Deep, slow-flowing stretches of the Ganga and its tributaries, often near river confluences and countercurrent pools.
Diet
Fish and freshwater invertebrates, located primarily through echolocation rather than sight.
Behaviour
Generally solitary or seen in loose mother-calf pairs; surfaces periodically to breathe, often showing the beak or dorsal ridge rather than leaping clear of the water.
Conservation Status
Endangered
Quick Facts
- Scientific namePlatanista gangetica gangetica
- Common nameSusu / Gangetic Dolphin
- Hindi nameगंगा डॉल्फिन (सुंस)
- National statusNational Aquatic Animal of India
- IUCN statusEndangered
Did You Know?
Gangetic dolphins have no lens in their eyes, leaving them effectively blind. They navigate an entire river system using sound alone.
Echolocation: Seeing With Sound
Gangetic dolphins have very poor eyesight (their eyes lack a lens) and rely almost entirely on echolocation — emitting sound pulses and interpreting the returning echoes — to navigate and locate prey in the Ganga's murky waters.
Threats
- Water pollution
- Entanglement in fishing nets
- Boat traffic and propeller strikes
- Habitat and river-flow changes
Conservation Importance
As the National Aquatic Animal of India, the Gangetic dolphin is a key indicator species for the health of the Ganga river ecosystem; protecting its habitat benefits the entire riverine food web.
Gallery
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, Bhagalpur
Ganga river, Bhagalpur stretch
Ganga river, Bhagalpur stretch
Ganga river
Ganga river
Ganga river
Ganga river
Related Research
Gangetic Dolphin Census Report
Placeholder for official dolphin census findings for the sanctuary stretch.
Research Paper: Gangetic Dolphin Ecology (reference listing)
Placeholder for peer-reviewed research relevant to the sanctuary, to be indexed here with author and journal details.