Dolphins likely accessed the area through the creeks and inadvertently ended up in the drain.

At least three sea dolphins have been sighted in the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) near Badin in June 2023 which reportedly entered the drain from the creeks after high tides caused by Cyclone Biparjoy.

According to Wajid Shaikh, a senior officer of the Sindh Wildlife Department, two dolphins managed to exit the drain, while one dolphin is still reportedly swimming in the drain waters.

He stated that it seemed to be the first occurrence of dolphins being reported in the LBOD, emphasising that it was neither their natural habitat nor a direct route to the sea. According to him, the dolphins likely accessed the waters through the creeks and inadvertently ended up in the drain. He further clarified that the dolphins came from the sea, contrary to some local media reports, which stated that they came from the river.

“Once we successfully rescue the dolphin, we will release it back into the creek,” he said.

The dolphin in question was not a blind dolphin typically found in the Indus River.