the south asian river dolphin ("platanista gangetica") is an endangered freshwater or river dolphin found in the region of indian subcontinent which is split into two subspecies, the ganges river dolphin ("p. g. gangetica", ~3,500 individuals) and the indus river dolphin ("p. g. minor", ~1,500 individuals). the ganges river dolphin is primarily found in the ganges and brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries in india, bangladesh and nepal, while the indus river dolphin is now found only in the main channel of the indus river in pakistan and active channels connected to it between the jinnah and kotri barrages. from the 1970s until 1998, they were regarded as separate species; however, in 1998, their classification was changed from two separate species to subspecies of a single species (see taxonomy below). the ganges river dolphin has been recognized by the government of india as its national aquatic animal and is the official animal of the indian city of guwahati. the indus river dolphin has been named as the national mammal of pakistan.