Introduction

Scientifically named Sousa chinensis, Chinese White Dolphin is a local name.  Its common name is called Indo-pacific Humpback Dolphin.  It is about 2 to 3 m long. Though it is described as white, it is actually pink. Just because under different light angles, the dolphins appear lighter, nearly white.  So, it is named White Dolphin.

World Distribution

Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin is widely distributed on the coastal and inshore waters of the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. Its habitat extends from South Africa in the west, across to the South China in the east, and as far south as northern Australia. Only those found around China are pink. Those living in the waters of northern Australia and South Africa are grey.

Distribution in

Hong Kong

There are about 7 to 8 separate populations of Chinese White Dolphin along the coast of China. The dolphins living in the Pearl River Delta Estuary and Hong Kong waters belong to one of these Chinese populations, with around a thousand. As the dolphin prefers estuarine habitat (where the food they like can be found), they are commonly found in the north, south and east of Lantau Island, outer Deep Bay, and west Lamma. There are about 100 dolphins occurring in Hong Kong waters.