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Puri: In an unusual sight, around 25 dolphins were spotted swimming in the Chandrabhaga Sea in the district on Monday.
According to reports, the Euryhaline species of oceanic dolphins popularly known as Irrawaddy dolphins were spotted playing only 100 metres away from the sea shore.
“Irrawaddy dolphins are shy of boats and generally they dive when alarmed. The species has come so close to the sea because of the presence of less number of visitors due to the Covid-19 induced situation,” a local said.
Ferrying tourists were left overjoyed and surprised to see the dolphins so close to the shore.
“The sight was really awesome. Lockdown showed us things we couldn’t have ever imagined. Hope it remains this way,” said a tourist.
Earlier on June 30, Irrawaddy dolphins had been sighted in Palur canal in Ganjam district after a few decades. This canal connects Chilika lake with Rushikulya river mouth off Ganjam coast. This new development had brought cheer among wildlife activists and local people.
During the annual dolphin census in January this year, the forest department staff and experts had found these aquatic mammals at Magarmukh, Jahnikuda, Mahisa, Rajhans, Nalabana, Kalijugeswar, Malatikuda, Pathara, Samal Island,Kalijai Island, INS Chilika, Krishnaprasad Gada Jetty and Satapada Jetty in Chilika lagoon.
As many as 156 Irrawaddy dolphins were sighted in the brackish water lagoon Chilika in January census. The number had decreased to 113 in the lagoon last year against 162 dolphins in 2018.
The Irrawaddy dolphin’s colour is grey to dark slate blue, paler underneath, without a distinctive pattern. The dorsal fin is small and rounded behind the middle of the back. The forehead is high and rounded and the beak is lacking. The front of its snout is blunt. The flippers are broad and rounded.
Watch: Dolphins' playful moment in the sea at Chandrabhaga amuse visitors #Odisha pic.twitter.com/NUmb5e8fuE
— OTV (@otvnews) December 15, 2020
(Edited by Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)
