A pod of Humpback dolphins
The fight to save South Africa’s most endangered marine mammal, the Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin, has taken a significant leap forward with the University of Pretoria’s Mammal Research Institute (MRI) Whale Unit spearheading a crucial new global network.
The Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin Conservation Network (HuDoNet) aims to galvanise conservation action for these shy and elusive creatures, which inhabit a narrow band of water along the southern and eastern African coasts, the Middle East, western India, Sri Lanka, and islands like Madagascar and Mayotte.
Coordinated by Dr Shanan Atkins of the MRI Whale Unit, HuDoNet brings together 77 scientists and conservationists from 17 countries. Their collaborative research seeks to provide robust evidence to support positive conservation decisions and actions, crucial for the survival of these dolphins.
“Most people may have never heard of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins,” Dr Atkins explains.
“They are affected by human activities that occur on land, in fresh water and in the ocean, which makes their conservation particularly complex and urgent,” Atkins said.
“The challenges faced by humpback dolphins are as diverse as they are daunting. With small, declining populations; these dolphins are often ensnared in fishing nets, and their habitats damaged by port and harbour constructions, coastal developments, and pollution.
“The survival of the dolphins is at risk due to chemicals, loud underwater
noise, and myriad other factors that are both challenging to understand and difficult to measure but undeniably impactful,” Atkins adds.
Founded this year, HuDoNet aims to foster collaborative research and management efforts, sharing expertise to bolster conservation initiatives across its geographical range. The leadership of the University of Pretoria, along with founding partners such as the University of St Andrews in Scotland and Zayed University in the UAE, underscores the international commitment to this cause.
Dr Els Vermeulen, Senior Lecturer and Research Manager at the MRI Whale Unit, emphasized that HuDoNet’s ambition extends beyond research.
“Our ultimate goal is to create a conservation action plan for the species across its range. This involves not just studying the dolphins but also working with governments, sharing resources, knowledge, and experience.”
She stressed the importance of using research to inform precise conservation actions and raising public awareness about the plight of these dolphins.
The HuDoNet researchers face a multitude of challenges, from limited resources and technical support to the elusive nature of the dolphins themselves.
In South Africa, data collection is particularly challenging, compounded by the lack of resources. Similarly, Ketki Jog from James Cook University in Australia, working in India, identified resource scarcity as a major hurdle.
Adding to this, there is often a lack of awareness and action from authorities, as Yusuf Bohadi from Kuwait University points out.
“It is so difficult to get the authorities involved in conservation matters.”
The contribution of the UP research team, primarily through their work with SouSa – a national consortium for the conservation of the species – is vital. Led by Dr Vermeulen, their fieldwork
includes small-boat operations for photo-identification and biopsy sampling along the coast in Richards Bay and the southern Cape coast.
“I am proud that the MRI Whale Unit is playing a leading role in the establishment of this collaborative network, which spans 23 countries,” Dr Vermeulen remarks.
“It is gratifying to help galvanise collaboration and to provide inspiration to the younger generation. Our efforts over more than two years have culminated in the launch of this network, and it’s heartening to see such diverse cultural backgrounds uniting with a sole purpose: better conserving these endangered dolphins.”
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