Gangetic dolphins, or Ganges river dolphins, live in the rivers of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. Sadly, their population is steadily declining.
They used to have a population of tens of thousands, but now there are less than 2000 due to “direct killing, habitat fragmentation by dams and barrages and indiscriminate fishing.”
Recently, a video from December 31st went viral of three men in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh beating one of these dolphins with axes and sticks. One of them caught the dolphin in his net and then held the dolphin by the fin.
The video shows the men continuously attacking the poor animal while someone yells, “Faltu mein maar rahe ho yaar (You are hitting the dolphin for no reason)”. The frightened, endangered animal bled out and was later found dead near the canal.
Fortunately, the three men in the video have been identified and arrested. However, they have yet to receive any punishment.
According to The Print, “An FIR has been lodged under Section 9/51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.” The accused face 3-7 years in prison and a fine of R10,000 ($136) if they are found guilty.
Many have criticized the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 because it has not been revised despite increases in the rate of acts of cruelty towards animals.
This act has a very small fine as punishment for animal cruelty as well as rules that often prevent police from arresting accused animal abusers.
Why would anyone do this to one of the warmest and most compassionate creatures in the world. #DolphinKilling #Pratapgarh pic.twitter.com/FAkMj76xK5
— Shreya Dhoundial (@shreyadhoundial) January 8, 2021
Sign this petition to demand that the Indian Government charge these men with animal abuse to prevent this kind of act from ever happening again!
This article was first published by OneGreenPlanet on 12 January 2021. Lead Image Source: Ranjan Barthakur/Shutterstock
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