Amazon Expedition: Colombia and Peru together for the conservation of river dolphins

• At the end of 2021, the scientific tour navigated along the Amazon River, from Iquitos-Peru to Leticia-Colombia.
• More than 400 dolphins were registered within 534.5 km of the river.
• The team moves forward in the satellite tracking of five river dolphins.

At the end of 2021, the Amazon Expedition navigated for eight days, bringing together  12 researchers along the river of the same name, between the cities of Iquitos-Peru and Leticia-Colombia. During the 534.5 km route, 226 observations were made, represented by 419 dolphins: 208 pink dolphins (Inia Geoffrensis) and 201 gray dolphins (Sotalia Fluviatilis). Positively, the large number of calves observed stands out, because the date of the expedition coincided with the peak season of births. This expedition also helped to train Peruvian researchers in the methodology for estimating the abundance of dolphins made by the Omacha Foundation.

Thanks to this investigation, the team obtained valuable information to analyze the status and dynamics of river dolphin populations. Also, the data obtained allowed identifying the most relevant places for the conservation of river dolphins. 

The scientists managed to install satellite transmitters on the dorsal fins of five dolphins. With them, they will obtain data on their displacement for a period of up to 6 months. Regional Government of Production (DIREPRO) Officers and the Research Institute of the Peruvian Amazon (IIAP) participated during this activity, thanks to the joint efforts of scientists from Omacha, Solinia, and WWF-Peru with local fishermen.

The capture and marking process was developed during two days in a backwater of the Amazon River using an already established protocol that is based on the well-being of the dolphins. Preliminary images show the use that dolphins make of important conservation areas in the Amazon, such as the Lagos de Tarapoto Ramsar site in Colombia (Figure 1).

The expedition is part of the efforts of the South American River Dolphin Initiative (SARDI) and with the leadership of WWF, the Omacha Foundation, Solinia, and Amo El Río Initiative. With the Amazon Expedition 2021, the SARDI team completed the fourth tour in this same area (Iquitos to Leticia), which will allow an analysis to find out if the populations of river dolphins are increasing or decreasing.

Fabiola La Rosa, WWF Peru Wildlife Program Officer, highlights that “90% of the diet of the rural population of the Amazon is based on what they take from the river, the fish. Therefore, the river dolphins are fundamental species to maintain the diversity of the fishing resource”.

The results of the expedition will be useful for the "National Action Plan for the conservation of river dolphins and Amazonian manatees (PAN)" of Peru, a planning and management tool, which establishes actions to guarantee the conservation of these species. The information on the conservation status of the gray dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis) and the pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), will contribute not only to knowing the changes in populations over time but also to understanding how the variations that may exist are related to threats in the Amazon.

Fernando Trujillo, scientific director of the Omacha Foundation, also highlighted that this expedition is an achievement that allows obtaining key information on the habitats that dolphins prefer and the areas that are a priority for them. “For example, most of the dolphins we have seen in the Amazon Expedition have been around the Lagos de Tarapoto Ramsar site, which shows that there is positive management for the conservation of dolphins in this conservation area,” he added. Additionally, to date, SARDI has traveled more than 50,000 thousand kilometers for the conservation of freshwater cetaceans and their ecosystems.

It should be noted that this is the second fluvial expedition on the Amazon River, carried out after the COVID 19 emergency, which looks to assess the state of the rivers and their biodiversity, including species such as river dolphins, within the SARDI framework.

The first expedition, named “Napo-Aguarico 2021”, took place over ten days in the Amazonian rivers Napo, Yasuní, and Aguarico, located between Ecuador and Peru.

The regional efforts value for rivers and dolphins

SARDI promotes regional conservation work. It contributes to getting a constant exchange of experiences and knowledge in relation to efforts that are being generated in other countries. In addition, it is possible to strengthen work teams, search for strategies, remain at the forefront of technological innovations, and be in constant feedback and learning. All for the benefit of the conservation of the emblematic species of the Amazonian rivers.

The Amazon is characterized by its incredible natural wealth. However, it is one of the landscapes most affected by pollution, habitat destruction, and other activities with a negative impact, such as illegal mining. Bearing this in mind, WWF and partners such as the Omacha Foundation promote the conservation of its species and the sustainable management of its resources. They promote the conservation of river dolphins, which are umbrella species because by preserving them, many other species are protected and contributing to the maintenance of healthy freshwater habitats..

Currently, river dolphins are threatened by incidental fishing, pollution, habitat degradation, dolphin´s bait for hunting fish, boat traffic, dams, and other large-scale infrastructure, in addition to the climate crisis. Therefore, promoting their protection is key to ensuring their permanence in the long term.

Did you know? Four of the eight river dolphins in the world are found in South America, in the Orinoco and Amazon basins. Two of these species are the gray dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis) and the pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis). Their distribution range is Colombia and Peru, where they play a fundamental role as an indicator species of ecosystem health. Also, they are of great cultural importance, and they are the top predators in the Amazonian rivers.

About SARDI 

The South American River Dolphin Initiative - SARDI, is cooperation created in 2017 and is made up of scientists from the Bolivia - Faunagua organizations, Colombia - Omacha Foundation, the Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research - IVIC, Peru - Prodelphinus and Solinia, Brazil - the Mamirauá Institute and the Aqualie Institute, and WWF (World Wildlife Fund). SARDI unites knowledge, experiences, and practices to improve conservation efforts and thus contribute to the maintenance, health, and integrity of populations of South American dolphins and the rivers they inhabit.

More Information:  

Claudia Coronado | Communications and Marketing Manager | WWF-Perú | claudia.coronado@wwfperu.org + 51 947257134

Verónica Téllez | Communications Officer WWF Colombia – The South American River Dolphin Initiative - SARDI Communications | vtellez@wwf.org.co | +57 3013164549 

Visit the website of the South American River Dolphin Initiative: www.river-dolphins.com