Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Annual Dolphin Census Begins in Chilika Lake
Every year, experts count dolphins in Chilika Lake, the biggest brackish water lake in Asia.
This year, the counting started on January 20 and will go on until January 22.
Eighteen teams with special tools like GPS and drones are working to find and count the dolphins.
They are checking different parts of the lake to see how many dolphins live there and where they move.
The lake is home to two types of dolphins: Irrawaddy and Bottlenose.
Last year, they found 174 dolphins.
The counting is important to protect the dolphins and their home.
Boat rides for tourists are stopped in the morning to keep the dolphins safe during the counting.
The annual dolphin census began on January 20 in Chilika Lake, Odisha, and will continue until January 22.
Eighteen teams, equipped with GPS, drones, and other tools, are surveying the lake to count and study dolphins.
The census aims to assess the population, distribution, and movement patterns of Irrawaddy and Bottlenose dolphins.
Boat services for tourists are suspended from 6 am to 12 pm to avoid disturbing the dolphins during the survey.
The 2025 census revealed 174 dolphins in Chilika Lake, including 159 Irrawaddy and 15 Bottlenose dolphins.
- Who
- Authorities and wildlife experts
- What
- Annual dolphin census
- When
- January 20 to January 22
- Where
- Chilika Lake, Odisha
- Why
- To assess dolphin population, distribution, and movement patterns for conservation
- Location
- Chilika Lake, Odisha
- Start Date
- January 20
- End Date
- January 22
- Teams Deployed
- 18
- Dolphin Species
- Irrawaddy and Bottlenose
- Total Dolphins (2025 Census)
- 174 (159 Irrawaddy, 15 Bottlenose)
- Survey Tools
- GPS, drones, binoculars, range finders, compasses
