In a bizarre incident that has sparked outrage and concern for wildlife conservation, four fishermen from Uttar Pradesh were booked by the authorities after they accidentally caught a Gangetic Dolphin from the Yamuna River and subsequently consumed the endangered mammal.
The incident took place near a remote village along the banks of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh. The fishermen, who had set out for their routine catch, were surprised when they inadvertently caught the rare Gangetic Dolphin in their fishing net. Instead of reporting the accidental catch to the authorities or releasing the animal back into the river, the four men made a shocking decision to keep and consume the dolphin.
Gangetic Dolphins, also known as Ganges River Dolphins, are classified as endangered species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. They are freshwater mammals native to the Indian subcontinent and are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which strictly prohibits their capture, killing, or trade.
Local authorities were alerted to the incident after videos and images of the fishermen consuming the dolphin started circulating on social media platforms. The disturbing visuals showed the men celebrating their catch and cooking the dolphin on an open fire.
Upon receiving the information and verifying the authenticity of the videos, forest officials and police immediately took action. A case was registered against the four fishermen under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act and the Indian Penal Code. The accused have been identified as [Names of the fishermen] and are now in police custody.
Speaking on the matter, a senior forest official stated, “It is disheartening to witness such acts of cruelty towards our wildlife, especially when it concerns an endangered species like the Gangetic Dolphin. We are committed to taking stringent action against those responsible for this unfortunate incident.”
The incident has sparked outrage among environmentalists and wildlife activists, who are urging stricter enforcement of laws to protect endangered species and calling for increased awareness and education among local communities about the importance of preserving India’s rich biodiversity.