The number of dolphins in the Karnali river has fallen sharply, with only three dolphins now spotted in the river.

Bardiya National Park reported that a survey in the Patabhar area of the Geruwa river, a branch of the Karnali river, recorded just one dolphin. Senior Conservation Officer Sarojmani Paudel said natural exploitation and reduced water levels in the Karnali’s eastern distributary are responsible for the decline. The survey found three dolphins in the southern stretch of the Karnali River.

A 2016 government survey had recorded five dolphins in the river. Until about two and a half years ago, dolphins were also seen on the eastern side of the Geruwa river.

Ajit Tumbahangphe, Bardiya chief of the National Trust for Nature Conservation, said although one dolphin was spotted in Lalmatia, Geruwa last year, none were observed this year. In contrast, a survey in the Mohana river, Kailali, found 54 dolphins.

Bardiya National Park added that as water levels drop in the Geruwa, dolphins are disappearing. Historically, dolphins were seen in large numbers along the Karnali within the park boundaries until the 1980s, particularly at Manaughat, Golaghat and Kothiyaghat.

Dolphins, highly intelligent mammals, are known for forming bonds with humans and performing in shows globally. In Nepal, they are occasionally found in large rivers like Narayani and Koshi, but their numbers in the Karnali and Geruwa rivers have declined drastically.