Amazon River Dolphins have always seemed to have a mythical air around them. They can go by many names, such as Boto or pink river dolphin. The scientific name for the species is Inia geoffrensis, and the subspecies found in the Amazon is named I. geoffrensis geoffrensis. Environmental concerns have caused these dolphins to now be listed as vulnerable. Their population is only around 10,000 individuals now. This species is unique and is only found in the Amazon River, a river that has been under attack lately.
About River Dolphins:
River dolphins are well adapted for the river they live in. The average adult is 9 feet long and around 350 pounds. Notable features of the dolphins are their pink skin, long cylindrical nose, flexible necks and small dorsal fins. Since the river they live in tends to be muddy, they have evolved sonar for hunting and therefore have poor eyesight. The dolphins are often seen in groups of two to four, though in the dry seasons they can form groups in deep channels up to 14 individuals. There are some differences between males and females, and males tend to be more solitary. Dolphins eat a variety of fish, turtles, and crabs. The dolphins are found throughout the Amazon River, but tend to stay in the largest lowland fast flowing tributaries in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Guyana, and Venezuela [1]. |
Threats:
In their ecosystem, river dolphins are an apex predator. Often when there is habitat destruction the apex predator is the first one affected, and the data shows that the species is rapidly declining. Some of the main threats to the dolphins are due to human-dolphin interactions.
In their ecosystem, river dolphins are an apex predator. Often when there is habitat destruction the apex predator is the first one affected, and the data shows that the species is rapidly declining. Some of the main threats to the dolphins are due to human-dolphin interactions.
Not only are humans catching prey fish of the dolphins—they are even using them as bait for the catfish. Dolphins have also been killed by discarded fishing gear such as nets and fishing line. Fishermen also see the dolphins as threat and sometimes kill the dolphins they think are interfering with their business. The water itself has become contaminated with toxic materials. Mercury has invaded the ecosystem, which is most likely from the gold mining along the Amazon River. Mercury accumulates over time in dolphins from the fish they eat. One study that tested the milk of river dolphins found high levels of methylmercury that is then passed on to the calf [6]. Hopefully the destruction is not irreversible and we can find a way to repair this unique system for these dolphins. |
Hydroelectric dams have an impact on dolphins, such as habitat fragmentation and isolation. The dams may cause the dolphins to have higher densities downstream, which makes for more competition for food [7]. |
Conservation:
Sadly, there is a lot to do save the Amazon River Dolphin and not many people are taking
it seriously. One study has been done to see if dolphins would be good ecological indicators. That study found that dolphins prefer clean waters that are away from human populations, therefore where they are located could indicate the ecosystem status [8]. Protecting the dolphins and their habitat can affect the natives that use these natural resources to survive. Organizations such as Natutama Foundation have been working with locals to help find ways to keep the dolphins safe and the people happy. They have been able to get some agreements with the locals that will allow accidently captured dolphins out of nets as well as restrict the killing of dolphins [3]. There are also some protected areas of the Amazon, like the Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve, but they are not monitored enough by officials. Right now Brazil, which is the country that contains majority of the Amazon River, is mainly focused on economic growth. It is important that officials and locals realize the kind of impacts industrialization can do on the ecosystem, like the dams. Local governments have an increased responsibility to protect this unique habitat but most times they lack the funds to do so.
Sadly, there is a lot to do save the Amazon River Dolphin and not many people are taking
it seriously. One study has been done to see if dolphins would be good ecological indicators. That study found that dolphins prefer clean waters that are away from human populations, therefore where they are located could indicate the ecosystem status [8]. Protecting the dolphins and their habitat can affect the natives that use these natural resources to survive. Organizations such as Natutama Foundation have been working with locals to help find ways to keep the dolphins safe and the people happy. They have been able to get some agreements with the locals that will allow accidently captured dolphins out of nets as well as restrict the killing of dolphins [3]. There are also some protected areas of the Amazon, like the Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve, but they are not monitored enough by officials. Right now Brazil, which is the country that contains majority of the Amazon River, is mainly focused on economic growth. It is important that officials and locals realize the kind of impacts industrialization can do on the ecosystem, like the dams. Local governments have an increased responsibility to protect this unique habitat but most times they lack the funds to do so.
Future:
Luckily, River dolphins tend to be fearless of humans and can often be seen as playful and cute, which would make them a great umbrella species for other endangered species in the ecosystem. The Amazon River dolphin could make a great poster child for raising awareness for saving the Amazon, as a flagship species. Though, just in case, researchers have tried to keep the dolphins in captivity but they just don’t survive well outside their native habitat. It may be important for the future to do more research into making captivity more successful. It would be a shame if future generations don’t get to live in a world where mythical creatures such as river dolphins exist.
Luckily, River dolphins tend to be fearless of humans and can often be seen as playful and cute, which would make them a great umbrella species for other endangered species in the ecosystem. The Amazon River dolphin could make a great poster child for raising awareness for saving the Amazon, as a flagship species. Though, just in case, researchers have tried to keep the dolphins in captivity but they just don’t survive well outside their native habitat. It may be important for the future to do more research into making captivity more successful. It would be a shame if future generations don’t get to live in a world where mythical creatures such as river dolphins exist.
To read other conservation studies click below:
Sources:
[1] IUCN REDLIST. (2016). Inia geoffrensis (Amazon River Dolphin, Boto, Boutu, Pink River Dolphin). Retrieved from http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/10831/0
[2] WDC. (2016). Amazon River Dolphin (Boto) Species Guide - WDC. Retrieved from http://us.whales.org/species-guide/amazon-river-dolphin
[3] WDC. (2016). Amazon River Dolphins - Colombia - Natütama Foundation - WDC. Retrieved from http://us.whales.org/wdc-in-action/amazon-river-dolphins-colombia-natutama-foundation
[4] WWF. (2016). Amazon River Dolphin (Pink Dolphins) | Species | WWF. Retrieved from http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/amazon-river-dolphin
[5] WWF. (2016). Amazon / Pink River Dolphin | WWF. Retrieved from http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/cetaceans/about/river_dolphins/pink_river_dolphin/
[6] F. Rosas, K. Lehti, 1996, Nutritional and mercury content of milk of the Amazon River dolphin Inia geoffrensis. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A Physiology 115A(2):117-119
[7] C. Araújo, J. Wang, 2015, The dammed river dolphins of Brazil: impacts and conservation. Oryx Volume 49, Issue 1: 17-24
[8] C. Gomex-Salazar, M. Coll, H. Whitehead 2012, River dolphins as indicators of ecosystem degradation in large tropical rivers. Ecological Indicators 23: 19–26.
[9] V. Mintzer, A. Martin, V. Silva, A. Barbour, K. Lorezen, T. Frazer. 2013, Effect of illegal harvest on apparent survival of Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis), Biological Conservation 158:280-286
Photo Credits:
[1] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amazon_river_dolphin.jpg
[2] https://www.flickr.com/photos/slobirdr/26293836726
[3] https://www.flickr.com/photos/joachim_s_mueller/4007720274
[4] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amazonas_Flussdelfin_Apure_Orinoco_Duisburg_01.jpg
[5] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Inia.jpg
[6] http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/amazon-river-dolphin
[7] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fishing_nets.jpg
[8] http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/04/150419-amazon-dams-hydroelectric-deforestation-rivers-brazil-peru/
[1] IUCN REDLIST. (2016). Inia geoffrensis (Amazon River Dolphin, Boto, Boutu, Pink River Dolphin). Retrieved from http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/10831/0
[2] WDC. (2016). Amazon River Dolphin (Boto) Species Guide - WDC. Retrieved from http://us.whales.org/species-guide/amazon-river-dolphin
[3] WDC. (2016). Amazon River Dolphins - Colombia - Natütama Foundation - WDC. Retrieved from http://us.whales.org/wdc-in-action/amazon-river-dolphins-colombia-natutama-foundation
[4] WWF. (2016). Amazon River Dolphin (Pink Dolphins) | Species | WWF. Retrieved from http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/amazon-river-dolphin
[5] WWF. (2016). Amazon / Pink River Dolphin | WWF. Retrieved from http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/cetaceans/about/river_dolphins/pink_river_dolphin/
[6] F. Rosas, K. Lehti, 1996, Nutritional and mercury content of milk of the Amazon River dolphin Inia geoffrensis. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A Physiology 115A(2):117-119
[7] C. Araújo, J. Wang, 2015, The dammed river dolphins of Brazil: impacts and conservation. Oryx Volume 49, Issue 1: 17-24
[8] C. Gomex-Salazar, M. Coll, H. Whitehead 2012, River dolphins as indicators of ecosystem degradation in large tropical rivers. Ecological Indicators 23: 19–26.
[9] V. Mintzer, A. Martin, V. Silva, A. Barbour, K. Lorezen, T. Frazer. 2013, Effect of illegal harvest on apparent survival of Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis), Biological Conservation 158:280-286
Photo Credits:
[1] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amazon_river_dolphin.jpg
[2] https://www.flickr.com/photos/slobirdr/26293836726
[3] https://www.flickr.com/photos/joachim_s_mueller/4007720274
[4] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amazonas_Flussdelfin_Apure_Orinoco_Duisburg_01.jpg
[5] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Inia.jpg
[6] http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/amazon-river-dolphin
[7] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fishing_nets.jpg
[8] http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/04/150419-amazon-dams-hydroelectric-deforestation-rivers-brazil-peru/