Long-term real-time monitoring of Ganges river dolphins using array of hydrophones

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For understanding the Ganges river dolphin's acoustic behavior over a long-time span, the annual long-term real-time monitoring for 4-6 months in the dry season using 6-hydrophone array system has been conducted for 3 seasons in this program. 15-18 Ganges river dolphins(adults and calves) that inhabit the 10 km stretch from Karnavas(upstream) to Narora(downstream) in Ganges river system were subjected to the study. In the monitoring, based on the dolphin's high frequency echolocation clicks received on each hydrophone of the array, the system calculates each dolphin's real-time underwater 3-D location around the observation area. It can as well transmit the real-time 3-D location data to the host server by CDMA modem. Any PC with an appropriate viewer program can access the host and monitor the dolphins' real-time movements during the entire monitoring period. Following off-line data analysis of each monitoring phase, the Ganges river dolphin's behavioral strategy for surviving in tough natural conditions has been revealed. This helps in the Ganges river dolphins conservation.