Study Links Ganges River Dolphin Activity to Lunar and Tidal Cycles

A study in West Bengal’s Rupnarayan river reveals that Ganges river dolphin activity correlates with tide, time of day, and lunar cycles. Researchers used underwater F-POD acoustic recorders to monitor the dolphins in a human-modified environment characterized by industrialization and motorized fishing.

The Rupnarayan river, an 85-km tributary of the Hooghly, experiences shifting currents and tidal bores that influence its flow. Published in Aquatic Mammals, the research highlights how these environmental parameters impact the detection of the local dolphin population. The findings provide insight into how the species navigates the complex, tide-influenced waters of their habitat.

Editor's note: The brief accurately synthesizes the study's findings and context without overstepping the provided source material.