Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his 'Mann ki Baat' address on Sunday, highlighted a remarkable 13-hour rescue operation in Gonda earlier this month. A male Gangetic dolphin was saved using the country's first Ganga Dolphin Rescue Ambulance and successfully released back into the Rapti river.
Rescue Operation Details
The dolphin had become trapped in shallow water in a canal in Gonda. A specialised Mobile Veterinary Unit (MVU) was deployed to stabilise the animal, transport it safely, and assist in the final translocation. After the Prime Minister mentioned the effort, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath thanked him for bringing national attention to the initiative.
Renewed Focus on Dolphin Conservation
Officials and conservation partners noted that the spotlight has renewed focus on the state's dolphin rescue work. Uttar Pradesh has rescued approximately four dolphins so far this year using the hi-tech ambulance, achieving a 100% survival rate in those cases. The state typically handles eight to ten dolphin rescue situations annually, often involving animals that stray into canals or become stranded in low-water stretches.
Mobile Veterinary Unit Features
Funded by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), the MVU is designed not only for dolphins but also for other freshwater aquatic species requiring emergency care. The unit can accommodate two adult dolphins at a time on dedicated stretchers, or transport three crocodilian species, or up to 100 turtles. Animals can also be retained inside the unit for treatment when necessary.
Addressing Key Challenges
Shailendra Singh, director of Turtle Survival Alliance-India (TSA-India), explained that the ambulance addresses a key challenge in dolphin care: accurate dosing. 'Earlier it was difficult to weigh the dolphin and administer medicine according to its body weight. Here, the stretchers have an inbuilt feature to weigh the animal,' he said. An adult female Gangetic dolphin can weigh up to 100 kg, while males typically weigh 40 to 60 kg.
Coordination and Equipment
The Uttar Pradesh forest department and TSA-India coordinate dolphin rescues in the state, with TSA-India custom-designing the ambulance. The MVU includes on-board oxygen, facilities for blood tests, X-ray and ultrasound, and other life-saving equipment. Previously, responders improvised oxygen delivery by cutting bottles to fit the dolphin's mouth; the new unit uses a bag-like interface designed for safer oxygen administration.
Historical Success Rates
Uttar Pradesh has rescued at least 40 dolphins between 2013 and 2025 with a 90% success rate, even before the MVU's introduction. Singh stated that the state's standardised rescue and translocation protocols have been central to that record, and the new ambulance is expected to make operations faster and safer.
Key Facts about Gangetic Dolphins
- Gangetic dolphins are the national aquatic animal of India.
- Uttar Pradesh has the highest population of Gangetic dolphins.
- The first-ever national estimation report for freshwater dolphins was released in March 2025.
- It showed Uttar Pradesh with 2,397 dolphins out of 6,327 in the country.
- Dolphins are critically endangered and protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Act.
- The Yogi government declared it the state aquatic animal on October 17, 2023.
- They are found in the Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Ghaghra, Rapti, and Gerua rivers.
