Colombo, 14 May (H.S.): At least six injured dolphins have been discovered on the beach in Kalutara South, Sri Lanka, raising concerns among wildlife scientists. These officials attribute the injuries to turbulent marine conditions and have launched an investigation to ascertain the circumstances of the incident. According to the Wildlife Conservation Department's veterinary unit, visible injuries were noted on the dolphins. Experts suggest potential causes for such injuries may include entanglement in fishing gear, environmental pollution, habitat degradation, climate change, and noise pollution.

Additionally, human activities such as hunting and tourism, along with collisions with boats and fungal infections, pose risks to dolphin populations. Sri Lanka's waters are home to various marine species, including blue whales, sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins, and several others like the elusive pygmy killer whale, which are less frequently seen. Other species such as the Risso’s dolphin reside in deeper waters, while the athletic spinner dolphins are known for their acrobatics near boats. The rich marine biodiversity in these waters includes large groups of several species, indicating a complex ecosystem that interacts with numerous environmental and human factors.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar