Posted on March, 13 2007

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