WWF - River Dolphin Survey

South American dolphin survey wraps up in Bolivia

2007-09-11

Santa Cruz, Bolivia – South America's first-ever river dolphin census through the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers and its tributaries has come to an end.

In the last 600km stretch along the Itenez River in Bolivia, scientists — led by the Faunagua Foundation (Bolivia) and Omacha Foundation (Colombia), with support from WWF, the Wildlife Conservation Society and Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society — counted 941 pink river dolphins.

During the 14-month, 3,145km-long expedition, researchers not only spent long hours counting dolphins, but checked on the state of the rivers. River pollution, deforestation, indiscriminate capture and incidental fishing are some of the factors affecting the South American river dolphins, the two pink river dolphin species (Inia geoffrensis and Inia boliviensis), also known as the boto, as well as the grey river dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis).

The boto is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

"We have successfully completed the first South American dolphin river census and we are satisfied with all the data collected and what we witnessed," said Saulo Usma, WWF-Colombia's Freshwater Coordinator.

In previous legs of the expedition the team recorded: 485 in Bolvia (June 2007); 520 dolphins in the Colombian Amazon (March 2007); 818 in Peru (September 2006); 131 on Colombia's Meta River (August 2006); 40 in Ecuador (July 2006); and 270 dolphins in Venezuela (June 2006).

The survey expedition, which consists of scientists from Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela, started in May 2006 in the Venezuelan city of Ciudad Bolivar.

"The census is just an initial phase towards protecting pink and grey dolphins in the Orinoco and Amazon Basins," Usma added.

"Now we have to take the data we gathered and translate it into an effective conservation strategy to preserve the species and its river habitat."

For further information:
Julio Mario Fernández, Communications Director
WWF-Colombia
E-mail: jmfernandez@wwf.org.co

Contando Delfines de Río

2007-06-25

Desde Colombia hasta Bolivia

Trinidad, Bolivia - Este viernes 22 de junio culminó el recorrido de una semana por los ríos Ichilo (Santa Cruz y Cochabamba) y Mamoré (Beni), en el marco del Monitoreo del Delfín de Río en América del Sur, que en el último año ha estado siendo llevado a cabo por Fundación Omacha (Colombia), The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) y WWF Colombia en la Amazonia y la Orinoquia: Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia, Brasil, Colombia y Venezuela.

En julio, en coordinación con la Dirección General de Biodiversidad (DGB), Faunagua y WWF Bolivia, se recorrerá el Río Iténez (Beni, Bolivia) con este mismo fin, tramo que dará por concluido este esfuerzo de monitoreo continental.

En Venezuela (junio, 2006) los resultados de las expediciones dieron cuenta de 270 delfines observados; mientras que en Ecuador (julio, 2006) de 40. Los resultados para Colombia (agosto, 2006) reportaron 131 delfines rosados (Inia geoffrensis); en Perú (septiembre, 2006) 818 delfines fueron avistados de las especies Inia geoffrensis y Sotalia fluviatilis.

En un recorrido de 294 km a lo largo de los ríos Amazonas, Atacuarí y Javarí, entre Colombia, Brasil y Perú (febrero, 2007), el grupo de científicos de la Fundación Omacha avistó 520 delfines. De acuerdo con el grupo de científicos, los resultados obtenidos en anteriores expediciones permiten afirmar que las poblaciones de delfines del Amazonas están en mejores condiciones que las del Orinoco. El Amazonas colombiano muestra que aunque las especies enfrentan varias amenazas, han podido sobrevivir.

A pesar del buen estado de las poblaciones de delfines de río, el conteo por el Amazonas evidenció las serias amenazas que afectan diariamente este ecosistema. Los drásticos procesos de deforestación causados por la extracción ilegal de madera y por las quemas; el desarrollo de proyectos de infraestructura, sumado a la contaminación y el cambio climático, están diezmando velozmente la extensión de la porción de bosque natural más importante del mundo.

Los delfines de río, conocidos en Bolivia como bufeos, se encuentran entre los mamíferos acuáticos más amenazados a nivel global, debido principalmente a interacciones negativas con pesquerías y al deterioro de su hábitat causado por la construcción de hidroeléctricas, contaminación por hidrocarburos y mercurio, así como procesos de deforestación a gran escala, los cuales afectan directamente la presencia y distribución de peces.

El estado de conservación de los delfines de río se constituye, por ende, también en un indicador del estado de conservación de las regiones que lo albergan, muy ricas en biodiversidad y de gran importancia para el equilibrio ecológico mundial.

"El cierre del censo en Bolivia genera muchas expectativas ya que en dicho país existe una especie diferente a las que se encuentran en Amazonas y Orinoco, el Inia boliviensis. Esta sería la primera gran oportunidad para su estudio", dijo Saulo Usma, coordinador del Programa de Agua Dulce de WWF Colombia.

"Con el censo de Bolivia contaremos con resultados concretos sobre el estado de las poblaciones de delfines de río en las cuencas del Orinoco y el Amazonas y, lo que es más importante, consolidaremos los insumos necesarios para la puesta en marcha de una estrategia de conservación de estas emblemáticas especies".

El 23 de junio la Prefectura del Beni hizo propicia la ocasión para organizar un evento promocional en el Flotel Reina del Enín, en el que dio a conocer el potencial turístico de la zona, así como diversos proyectos de conservación en curso en esta porción de la Amazonia boliviana por parte de las ONG Faunagua, WCS, Fundación Omacha y WWF.

WWF-Colombia associate wins Whitley conservation award

2007-05-11

Cali, Colombia – WWF-Colombia is very proud to celebrate Dr Fernando Trujillo's announcement as the Overall Winner of the Whitley Award nature conservation prize for his work to conserve South America's pink river dolphins.

Dr Fernando Trujillo, a Colombian scientist, founder and Scientific Director of the Fundación Omacha, WWF-Colombia's associate in the Amazon and Orinoco Basins, won both the Whitley Award sponsored by HSBC Holdings, and the Whitley Gold Award for his ambitious conservation programme. He received both awards from HRH The Princess Royal and Sir David Attenborough at London's Royal Geographical Society.

"Dr Trujillo's work in Colombia is ambitious and he has overcome many barriers," said Edward Whitley, Founder and Chairman of the Whitley Fund for Nature. "He is combining a truly holistic approach. As well as researching threatened species such as the pink river dolphin, Dr Trujillo is engaging with people in the Amazon basin, working closely with fishermen, and is even working with supermarkets."

"Without his work, we would not even be aware of the threat the Colombian catfish industry poses river dolphins. We are delighted to announce him the overall Whitley Gold Award Winner".

Working with a team of young South American scientists and with the support of WWF, WCS, WDCS, Dr Trujillo leads an ambitious programme of conservation in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, conducting systematic research along the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers and their tributaries in Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador to estimate river dolphin numbers. Central to their work is a strong campaign to stop the killing of the dolphins and other endangered species for use in the catfish industry.

"Fernando and his work deserved such recognition; his discipline and commitment have led his cause to different places and now it has been acknowledged. Though this important global award will benefit his work with dolphins and other freshwater species, it constitutes a real inspiring and motivating example for other individuals and organizations working in favor of nature", said Mary Louise Higgins, WWF-Colombia Country Representative. "We are just waiting him to come back and continue to Bolivia, where the First South American River Dolphin Census will conclude next June".

Notes:

The Whitley Fund for Nature – the charity behind the Whitley Awards – is a UK based international conservation charity that recognises some of the world's leading conservationists. The Whitley Awards are given to support science based conservation work that also benefits local communities.
Whitley Awards are worth up to £30,000 each and are one of the largest nature conservation awards available. Of the Award winners selected each year, one recipient goes on to win the Gold Award worth an additional £30,000. Hosted by Patron HRH Princess Royal and Trustee Sir David Attenborough, the Whitley Awards Ceremony is held annually at the Royal Geographical Society in London.
One of South America's flagship species, River dolphins, are now among the world's endangered cetaceans. Recent studies show the River Dolphins endemic to the Amazon and Orinoco basins are extremely threatened by mounting fisheries, the use of dolphins as bait, pollution and habitat loss in both Basins.
Currently there are no governmental initiatives to protect endangered species in these river basins and Dr Trujillo hopes that dolphin watching and other sustainable economic activities helps to promote the conservation of river dolphins, giant otters, manatees, turtles and caimans, providing at the same time important economic alternatives for local people.
The First South American Dolphin River Census is carried out by Fundacion Omacha, WCS, WDCS and WWF Colombia. It counts with financial support of WWF Switzerland.

For further information:
Julio Mario Fernández B
Communications Director, WWF Colombia
E-mail: jmfernandez@wwf.org.co
Tel: + 57 315 491 15 69 / 313 765 98 06

South American river dolphin survey records stable populations

2007-03-13

Santiago de Cali, Colombia – Scientists conducting the first-ever South American river dolphin census have sighted hundreds of dolphins, raising hopes about the survival of some of the endangered species' populations.

The survey counted 520 dolphins — 321 grey (Sotalia fluviatilis) and 199 pink (Inia geoffrensis) — during a 294-kilometre voyage down the Amazon, Atacuari and Javari rivers in Colombia, Brazil and Peru.

According to the team of scientists —led by the Omacha Foundation, with support from the Wildlife Conservation Society, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and WWF-Colombia — the results obtained in previous expeditions helped confirm that the Amazon dolphin populations are in better condition than those surveyed in the Orinoco River.

"The river count showed that although the dolphins face various threats, such as pollution, they have been able to survive in the Amazon in Colombia," said Sauo Usma, WWF-Colombia's Freshwater Programme Coordinator.

"We have noticed a change in the places where they are found, rather than a change in the number of individuals."

The overall aim of the survey is to gather data on one of the endangered freshwater species in the world in order to design a management and monitoring plan, as well as get to know the state of the rivers and watersheds of some of South America's largest rivers.

In previous legs of the expedition the team recorded: 270 dolphins in Venezuela (June 2006); 40 in Ecuador (July 2006); 131 on Colombia's Meta River (August 2006); and 818 in Peru (September 2006).

A fifth and last expedition is planned for Bolivia between May and June 2007.

"Once we complete the Bolivian part of the survey, we will finally have dependable results on the state of river dolphin populations in the Orinoco and the Amazon basins," Usma said.

"More importantly, we will be able to consolidate the necessary resources to set in motion a conservation strategy for these iconic species."

End Notes:

• The pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), also known as the boto, is found in lowland fast flowing, white-water rivers, clearwater or blackwater rivers. The species is also present in the largest tributaries, lakes, confluences and seasonally flooded forests. It depends on healthy fish populations for its survival. Historically, the boto has been spared human persecution because of the belief that it has special powers. Today however, it is increasingly viewed by fishermen as an unwanted competitor for fish. The boto can get tangled up in fishing nets, or suffer wounds by colliding with boats.

• The grey river dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis) is darker and smaller than the boto, with a shorter snout and a distinctive triangular dorsal fin.

For further information:
Maria Ximena Galeano, Press Officer
WWF-Colombia
mxgaleano@wwf.org.co
Phone: +57 (2) 5582577 ext 217
WWF Colombia

Counting river dolphins in Peru

2006-10-17

Amazon River, Peru – Hundreds of dolphins were spotted along Peru's Samiria and Maranon-Amazonas Rivers as part of South America's first regional freshwater dolphin survey.

The fourth of a five-stage expedition to establish river dolphins numbers in the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers and their tributaries, South American scientists counted 818 pink dolphins (Inia geffrensis) and grey river dolphins (Sotalia fluviatilis) in 410 sightings.

The largest groups of the dolphins were seen at river confluences where fish are in most abundance.

"Preliminary observations show that the dolphin's habitat in Peru appears to be in a good state," said Freddy Arévalo with the Wildlife Conservation Society in Peru. "This state of affairs owes much to the conservation initiatives and sustainable resource management programme which have been implemented in the area, including those of WCS and WWF."

The results in Peru were significantly more than the 131 pink dolphins spotted on the previous part of the expedition on Colombia's Meta River.

"The Meta River has been hit hard by pollution and over-fishing," said Marcela Portocarrero, a scientist from the Omacha Foundation, who is taking part in the dolphin survey. "This has created a marked decline in fish stocks, made evident by low numbers of dolphins, who depend on fish for food."

The first leg of the survey recorded 270 dolphins on the Orinoco River in Venezuela in June 2006 and only 40 in Ecuador on the Lagarto Cocha, Cuyabeno and Yasuni Rivers in July 2006.

A fifth expedition is planned for Bolivia and a possible sixth expedition on the Amazon River from Peru via Colombia to Brazil in January 2007.

The overall aim of the survey is to gather data on one of the endangered freshwater species in the world in order to design a management and monitoring plan, as well as get to know the state of the rivers and watersheds of some of South America's largest rivers.

"This dolphin census gives us the wide view of river dolphins in South America," said José Saulo Usma, WWF Colombia's Freshwater Coordinator. "This is a first step to build an up-to-date database for the species, something that is fundamental to our future conservation work."

END NOTES:

• The South American river dolphin survey is an initiative led by the Omacha Foundation, with support from the Wildlife Conservation Society, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and WWF Colombia.

• The pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), also known as the boto, is found in lowland fast flowing, white-water rivers, clearwater or blackwater rivers. The species is also present in the largest tributaries, lakes, confluences and seasonally flooded forests. It depends on healthy fish populations for its survival. Historically, the boto has been spared human persecution because of the belief that it has special powers. Today however, it is increasingly viewed by fishermen as an unwanted competitor for fish. The boto can get tangled up in fishing nets, or suffer wounds by colliding with boats.

• In addition to spotting the pink river dolphin, scientists are also on the look out for the grey river dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis), a dolphin species darker and smaller than the boto, with a shorter snout and a distinctive triangular dorsal fin.

For further information:
Julio Mario Fernández, Communications Coordinator
WWF Colombia
Tel + 57 2 558 25 77
Email: jmfernandez@wwf.org.co

Counting dolphins in Ecuador

2006-08-10

Napo River, Ecuador – Dozens of dolphins have been sighted in the rivers of Ecuador as part of a South American freshwater dolphin survey in the Amazon.

The survey, led by Colombian conservation NGO Fundación Omacha, with support from WWF, the Wildlife Conservation Society, Fundación La Salle and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, counted 33 pink river dolphins and seven gray river dolphins during an expedition through the Ecuadorian Amazon, along the Napo, Lagarto Cocha, Cuyabeno and Yasuni Rivers.

"We are pleased that we have sighted a good number of these vulnerable freshwater species," said Fundación Omacha Director Fernando Trujillo, "but we are still very concerned about threats that are affecting overall population numbers."

River pollution, deforestation, indiscriminate capture and incidental fishing are some of the factors affecting the South American river dolphins. Oil exploration is also a factor.

"Aquatic ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to direct and indirect impacts from this activity, mostly because it pollutes the rivers and increases the number of motor-driven vessels," said Victor Utreras of the Wildlife Conservation Society.

"Dolphins are very sensitive to acoustic pollution and threatened by collisions with fast moving vessels."

The South American river dolphin survey expedition, which consists of scientists from Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela, started in May in the Venezuelan city of Ciudad Bolivar. Following the recent freshwater dolphin survey in Ecuador, another expedition will take place in the Meta River in Colombia in August, followed by two more in Peru and Bolivia in September.

The overall aim of the survey is to establish how many river dolphins there are in the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers and their tributaries.

"Along with estimates of river dolphin populations, we are also gathering as much information on potential threats and conservation status on the species in the areas we visit," said Saulo Usma, WWF Colombia's Freshwater Coordinator.

"This information will contribute to the design of management plans and specific conservation actions in the headwaters of the Amazon."

END NOTES:

• The pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), also known as the boto, is found in lowland fast flowing, white-water rivers, clearwater or blackwater rivers. The species is also present in the largest tributaries, lakes, confluences and seasonally flooded forests. It depends on healthy fish populations for its survival. Historically, the boto has been spared human persecution because of the belief that it has special powers. Today however, it is increasingly viewed by fishermen as an unwanted competitor for fish. The boto can get tangled up in fishing nets, or suffer wounds by colliding with boats. In addition to spotting the pink river dolphin, scientists are also on the look out for the gray river dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis) — a dolphin species darker and smaller than the boto, with a shorter snout and a distinctive triangular dorsal fin.

For further information:
Maria Ximena Galeano, Press Officer
WWF Colombia
Tel: +57 2 558 2577
Email: mxgaleano@wwf.org.co

::: South America Update :::
River dolphin count in Venezuela begins

2006-06-07

After a rain-sodden trip of 380km on the Orinoco River, expedition members who left for Venezuela on 9 May to carry out the first part of a South American river dolphin census in Venezuela have been able to report back on some initial findings.

'We saw approximately 270 dolphins in 87 different sightings," said Fernando Trujillo, director of Fundación Omacha, the Colombian institution leading the dolphin survey. The team surveyed several different rivers — Cachivero, Capanaparo, Caura, Apure, Arauquita, Soapure — and observed two dolphin species: Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and Tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis).

The expedition also allowed researchers to check on the state of the rivers as well as the surrounding environment and possible threats.

"We saw many deforested areas and landscapes transformed by agriculture, particularly cotton plantations," added Trujillo. "Near Jobal there is an enormous bauxite processing plant where aluminum is produced. In spite of traveling in the low fishing season, we were able to see many fishermen and freezer lorries loading up with fish, especially large catfish."

In spite of poor weather conditions, scientists kept up their enthusiasm and continued with their work.

"Supporting this project means that methods for studying aquatic mammals can be improved," emphasized Marcela Portocarrero, a biologist with the Fundación Omacha. "And knowledge gained from the survey can help with our conservation work of these threatened species."

The coordination and development of the expedition had the support of the Venezuelan researcher Félix Daza of the Wildlife Conservation Society, who worked with auxiliary field workers Betzaida Carpio and Darwin Castillo in the important task of counting the dolphins.

In the same way, several deep fishing areas were checked by Nirson González, a biologist from the Fundación La Salle. He said many interesting species of fish were collected which will help in understanding the ecology of these rivers.

Fernando Trujillo stressed the need to increase economic resources in order to guarantee better boats and thus obtain trustworthy results in the dolphin counts.

"The support of the environmental organizations that back up these expeditions has been excellent," he added. "We have also been able to consolidate an effective communication campaign involving many people."

The South American dolphin survey is being supported by the Wildlife Conservation Society Fundación La Salle, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, and WWF.

"Dolphins are a very charismatic species and public opinion regarding conservation in South American rivers as a result of using these in awareness campaigns can be useful," says Saulo Usma, coordinator of WWF-Colombia's Orinoco Basin Programme.

"There is a strong connection between dolphins and fishing and as a result of a study on these species overfishing and contamination problems can be examined further."

END NOTES:

• Participants in the first stage of the survey:
Colombia: Fernando Trujillo (Fundación Omacha), Diana Pardo (biologist, Universidad Nacional) and Marcela Portocarrero (Fundación Omacha). Venezuela: Nirson González (Fundación La Salle), Félix Daza, Betzaida Carpio, Darwin Castillo (WCS).

• The second and third stages of the river dolphin census will take place in July in rivers in Ecuador and Colombia, and in August in Peru.

First regional freshwater dolphin survey underway in South America

2006-05-09

Santiago de Cali, Colombia — South American scientists are about to embark on an expedition through the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers to survey freshwater dolphins.

The expedition, which consists of scientists from Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela, will start in the Venezuelan city of Ciudad Bolivar and continue 1,730km to Puerto Carreño in Colombia.

"Freshwater dolphins are one of the most endangered mammals in the world," explained Fernando Trujillo, Director of Fundación Omacha, one of the organizations leading the expedition, with support from WWF, the Wildlife Conservation Society, Fundación La Salle and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.

"Mercury contamination, deforestation, indiscriminate capture and incidental fishing are some of the factors affecting the species. Currently we don't have abundant populations and this census will allow us to gather data in order to design a management and monitoring plan as well as get to know the state of the watersheds of the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers."

This is the first dolphin counting initiative in South America and it follows similar counts in Asia where WWF has financed research expeditions in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The idea is to establish how many river dolphins there are in the Amazon and Orinoco in order to set up specific conservation strategies. The census is also part of a training programme for South American scientists in estimating numbers of threatened species.

"Supporting this census is important for WWF since the conservation of the pink river dolphin is a good indicator of the ecological health of these river basins," explained Saulo Usma, WWF Colombia's Freshwater Coordinator. "Being a regional initiative, the information gathered will help achieve the conservation goals of our global freshwater and species programmes."

The pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), also known as the boto, is found in lowland fast flowing, white-water rivers, clearwater or blackwater rivers. The species is also present in the largest tributaries, lakes, confluences and seasonally flooded forests. It depends on healthy fish populations for its survival. Historically, the boto has been spared human persecution because of the belief that it has special powers. Today however, it is increasingly viewed by fishermen as an unwanted competitor for fish. The boto can get tangled up in fishing nets, or suffer wounds by colliding with boats. To date, no major reduction of their range has been observed.

"Counting dolphins is complicated, since they spend most of their time underwater," added Trujillo.

"If the researchers move slowly, the dolphins can overtake the boat and be recounted. We have designed a technique in which we generally hire big boats that have the possibility of placing the observers at least 5m above the deck so that they can have a good view of the river and thus count the animals."

Each time a scientist sees a dolphin or a school of dolphins, their position will be noted using GPS. Scientists will also register whether they are adults, young or new-born mammals, as well as record information about their habitat.

In addition to spotting the pink river dolphin, scientists will also be on the look out for the grey river dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis) — a dolphin species darker and smaller than the boto, with a shorter snout and a distinctive triangular dorsal fin.

END NOTES:

• The Omacha Foundation is a non-profit NGO working to study, research and preserve flora and fauna with an emphasis on freshwater ecosystems in Colombia. The work is based on the mutual collaboration between researchers and the community with the aim of achieving plans for sustainable development of the freshwater resources.

• The Participants: Fernando Trujillo has more than 20 years of experience in river dolphin and aquatic fauna research. From 2007, he will take up the position of president of the Latin American Society of Aquatic Mammals (Solamac). Catalina Gómez is a researcher with the Omacha Foundation and has participated in several dolphine counts in the Amazon. Marcela Portocarrero is a researcher with the Omacha Foundation and also has experience in the conservation of fauna. Felix Daza is an investigator with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Venezuela and is currently coordinating research in aquatic ecosystems. Carlos Lasso is a specialist in the ecology and taxonomy of fish in South America.

• Research Calendar:
May 9 to15: Observation in Colombia and Venezuela on the Orinoco River.
May 14 to 23: Observation in Peru (Pacaya-Samiria).
June 20 to 29: Observation on the meta River, Colombia.
Second half of July (10 days): Observation in Bolivia (Itenes-Mamoré).
Second half of August (10 days): Observation in Ecuador.

For more information:
José Saulo Usma, Orinoco Basin Programme Coordinator
WWF-Colombia
Email: jsusma@wwf.org.co
Tel. +57 2 5582577 Ext. 123

Luz Eliana Bossa Quintero, Media Consultant
WWF-Colombia
Email: luzelibossa@yahoo.es
Tel. +57 2 5582577 Ext, 217