The tests would not only confirm the species, but would also trace their lineage to find how the dolphins arrived at this now virtually land-locked wetland. “The dolphins would be captured for blood samples,” said B.C. Bala, Chief Conservator of Forests, adding that experts from Wildlife Institute, Dehradun, and WWF, Delhi, would help in scientific investigations.

The dolphins were first spotted by a team of forest and wildlife officials led by Divisional Forest Officer Basanta Kumar and confirmed by World Wide Fund (WWF) scientists Dr Sandeep Behera and Dr Asghar Nawab.

Anish Dua, a zoologist from Guru Nanak Dev University, who also accompanied the experts to Harike, said the habitat of dolphins should be protected. “The habitat is conducive to dolphins’ population. There is abundant food and the water quality is good. Investigations should be ordered for a census of the dolphins and then measures should be taken for protecting the mammals,” said Dua.