Two dolphins, a spinner dolphin and a humpback dolphin were found dead under mysterious circumstances at two separate locations along the Pasni coast in Balochistan, officials said.
According to sources, both dolphins are believed to have died after becoming trapped in harmful fishing nets, a recurring threat to marine wildlife along Pakistan’s coastline.
The spinner dolphin, known for its acrobatic leaps and its ability to spin up to seven times mid-air during a high jump, is commonly found in warm coastal waters.
WWF-Pakistan’s Technical Advisor Muhammad Moazzam Khan said the organization has long been working to protect rare and endangered marine species. He noted that spinner dolphins are found in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Arabian Sea, and across the Makran coast.
Moazzam Khan added that humpback dolphins were once commonly seen near Karachi’s coastal belt. People traveling by launch from Kemari and Manora frequently witnessed these dolphins gliding through the water. The species was traditionally known as “Gada fish” among the Katchi community, with “Gada” meaning bull in Gujarati due to the dolphin’s distinctive appearance.
He stressed the need for urgent investigation into the increasing number of dolphin deaths reported in recent months, warning that continuous losses could endanger already vulnerable populations.
