SUKKUR, Dec 9: Two baby Blind Dolphins were rescued by the Sindh Wildlife Department, Sukkur, recently, says a press release issued by the department.

The first from the Dadu canal, Sukkur Barrage, on Dec 3 and the second from the Mirwah canal, Sukkur Barrage, on Dec 6.

Villagers spotted a baby Dolphin in the Johi branch of the Dadu canal on Dec 2 and informed the Sindh Wildlife Department, Sukkur, about it. So the next day, a rescue team led by Hussain Bakhsh Bhaagat, Deputy Conservator, Sindh Wildlife Department, Sukkur, was sent to rescue it.

On measuring it, the rescuers found it to be 3ft 7” in size and 13 1/2kgs in weight.

The rescue team saved another from the Sui Wah of the Mirwah canal, near Kandhra, on Dec 6. On measuring it, the rescuers found it to be 4ft 5” in size and 13kgs in weight.

Both the Dolphins were rescued with the help of local fishermen.

They were kept in a water tank and transported to Sukkur, a distance of about 210kms, on a pick-up.

While being transported the mammals’ body temperature was maintained by pouring water continuously with the help of sponges.

It was at Sukkur where the mammals’ measurements were taken. It must be mentioned here that local school children also helped in doing so. This was done so as to raise awareness among the young regarding the conservation of wildlife.

The rescue team verified the mammals’ teeth structure and took their biopsy and blood samples for further scientific studies. Finally, before being released into the Indus at Saadh Belo, Sukkur, both were tagged with minute electrical devices so that they could be kept under observation.

The rescue work is carried out under the Indus Dolphin Rescue Project, Sukkur, for which funds are provided by the UNDP.

It may be recalled that earlier a baby Blind Dolphin had been rescued on Oct 30.