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View all search resultsRiau’s viral humpback dolphin found dead in local river
A coastal dolphin species that went viral after its unusual appearance in the Batang Lubuh River in Rokan Hulu regency has been found dead a little over a week after it was first spotted.
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A young humpback dolphin swims in Kualuh River in North Labuhan Batu regency in North Sumatra on Jan. 31, 2019. A joint team is trying to catch it to return it to the sea. (Courtesy of JAAN/-)
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n Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) that recently went viral after its unusual appearance in the Batang Lubuh River in Riau’s Rokan Hulu regency has been found dead, raising concerns over habitat degradation and environmental pollution.
Authorities said the carcass of the dolphin species, locally known as lumba-lumba bongkok, was first spotted floating in the river at around 1:40 a.m. on Monday by local fishermen. The fishermen reportedly planned to check again after sunrise, but could not find the animal when they returned to the location.
Later on Monday, the dolphin carcass was discovered washed ashore in Kepenuhan Hulu village, around 5 kilometers downstream from where it was first spotted. The animal’s remains were apparently in an advanced state of decomposition.
Zulfikar, acting head of the Rokan Hulu Fisheries and Food Security Agency, said tissue, skin and tooth samples were collected for laboratory testing to determine the cause of death.
“After the samples were collected, the dolphin’s carcass was immediately buried near the site of discovery to prevent the spread of disease and environmental contamination. Prompt burial was essential, as freshwater dolphins are known to carry a high parasite load,” Zulkifar said on Tuesday.
Read also: Dolphin found dead on Yogyakarta beach
The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin is an oceanic species that primarily inhabits shallow, coastal waters and has a tropical and subtropical range, though it also ventures into estuarine areas.
