Dolphins in Kolkata Technological Leaps Make Detecting the Marine Mammal More Accurate

The Hooghly River flowing through Kolkata has long been a habitat for the elusive Gangetic dolphin, but traditional sighting methods have often struggled with the river’s high turbidity and heavy vessel traffic. According to a new report, recent advancements in underwater acoustic monitoring and AI-driven sensor technology are now allowing researchers to track these freshwater mammals with unprecedented precision. By using specialized “hydrophones” that capture the unique echolocation clicks of the dolphins, scientists can now identify their presence and movement patterns even when they are not visible on the surface.

This technological shift is providing a clearer picture of the dolphin population’s health within the city’s metropolitan stretch. The data collected is being used to map “high-activity zones,” which could lead to better-regulated shipping lanes to prevent accidental collisions and noise pollution—two major threats to the species. For the people of Kolkata, these findings serve as a reminder of the rich, hidden biodiversity surviving in their urban waterway and highlight how modern engineering is playing a crucial role in the conservation of India’s national aquatic animal.