The number of Irrawaddy dolphins in Odisha’s Chilika Lake remained unchanged at 159 in the latest census by the Wildlife Wing of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Berhampur, officials said on Wednesday.
There are 159 Irrawaddy dolphins in Chile; Odisha has recorded 765 aquatic mammals in 5 years highThe number of species in brackish water lagoons was 159 in 2025, they said.
In addition to the Irrawaddy dolphin, Chilika recorded 16 humpback dolphins from Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean species.
In 2025, the lake reported 15 humpback dolphins, officials said.
In total, 765 dolphins of six species were sighted off the coast of Odisha and in Chilika Lake during the population estimation exercise.
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These include 208 Irrawaddy dolphins, 495 humpback dolphins, 55 bottlenose dolphins, three spinner dolphins and two finless porpoises.
Nine Irrawaddy dolphins were also spotted in Bhitarkanika Marine Sanctuary, 12 in Puri Wildlife Division area, 13 in Berhampur Division and 15 in Balasore Wildlife Division.
State Chief Conservator of Forests Prem Kumar Jha posted on X, “Odisha records highest number of dolphins in five years at 765.”
“Strong conservation efforts, habitat protection and community participation drive a major milestone in marine biodiversity conservation,” he said.
The 2025 annual census estimated 710 dolphins in the state, including Chilika.
This included 188 Irrawaddy dolphins, 498 humpback dolphins, 16 bottlenose dolphins and eight spinner dolphins.
Dolphins are included in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Act 1972 and are classified as Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List.
Although the population of Chilika remains stable, the lagoon continues to have the highest concentration of Irrawaddy dolphins in a single region worldwide, a forest official said.
Amlan Nayak, Divisional Forest Officer, Chilika Wildlife Division, said the marine mammal could have migrated to other areas, which could explain why its population remained the same as last year.
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In Berhampur division, Irrawaddy dolphins were not seen during last year’s census. This time their number stood at 13.
“It is a good sign that the species has been spotted on the Ganjam coast this time,” said Divya Shankar Behera, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Khallikot.
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