Pink Dolphins

Pink dolphins live in narrow strips of coastline throughout the Indo-Pacific and Asia. They are

usually gray when born, but then take on various pinkish hues as they age. Their blood vessels

make their skin turn pink when they are active – similar to when our cheeks turn red after a

tough session at the gym. They prey on small fish from the river channels that flow into the

ocean. Their scientific name is Sousa chinensis, and their common names are Indo-pacific

Humpback Dolphin, or the Chinese White Dolphin. When a river meets a sea it is called an

estuary. Sadly, the estuaries where these dolphins live and feed have the highest levels of human

impact. Pollution from residences, agriculture, and land-based industries flow through the rivers

and into the ocean – thus destroying nutrient rich ecosystems at river mouths. Further, the coasts

are packed with fishing gear and fish farms, making it hard for dolphins to swim and get around.

Pink dolphins are listed as “nearly threatened.” If we reduce pollution in our waterways and stop

construction along our coasts, small diverse populations of marine animals, like pink dolphins,

can thrive and live happily.

Visit sailorsforthesea.org to find out how you can help pink dolphins.

Facts about pink dolphins video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QljKK0Stpho

Pink dolphins are disappearing in Hong Kong Video:

https://youtu.be/4qds3GBHqMU

References:

https://www.sailorsforthesea.org/programs/ocean-watch/plight-pink-dolphin

https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/creatura-blog/2014/08/indo-pacific-humpback-d

olphin/