‘Change in feeding habit of dolphins reason for shift to backwaters’

The changes in feeding habite of Humpback Dolphin (Souca Plumbea) are arguably prime reasons for its shift to the backwaters of the Bay of Bengal near Gilakaladindi harbour in Krishna district recently, according to marine biology experts.

As many as nine Humpback Dolphins, including two observed on Monday, were preying in the backwaters since early March.

Last week, a total of seven Humpback Dolphins spent almost 48 hours near a littoral drift formation at the entrance of the Bay of Bengal from the harbour, preying on fish – Asian Seabass in particular and other species.

According to experts in marine biology, the Humpback Dolphin tends to move inshore and into mangrove to feed during the rising tide.

Several instances

The experts’ observation was found true in the case of estuary near the confluence point of river Krishna into Bay of Bengal in Nagayalanka mandal of Krishna district. In an estuary in Nagayalanka mandal, there were several instances when visitors sighted movement of groups of the Humpback Dolphins.

“The Humpback Dolphins may have entered the backwaters for good catch of fish by using sonar capabilities which help them in shallow and low visibility water conditions during its hunt for prey,” said Krishna University Biotechnology Department Head P. Veerabrahmachari. Humpback Dolphins are found to be mostly feeding in estuaries in South Africa and it is a similar case in the backwaters surrounded by the lush green mangroves near Machilipatnam.

Barely a few days after feeding in the backwaters of Machilipatnam, a couple of Humpback Dolphins have returned to the sea, reportedly disturbed by the local boat operators.