Populations of the freshwater Amazon river dolphin (above) and tucuxi dolphin are being studied over three years by scientists from Brazil’s National Institute of Amazon Research and U.S.-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. (Photo by Coulanges/Shutterstock)
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Brazil’s National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA) are collaborating on a study aimed at gauging how to improve protection of two endangered Amazon-region dolphin species. The species are the grayish-pink tucuxi dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis) and the Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), which is the biggest of the world’s six river-dwelling dolphin species and is known for its bright-pink coloring. Adult male Amazon river dolphins reach 185 kilograms (408 pounds) in weight and 2.5 meters (8.2 ft) in length. Both species are found in rivers throughout the Amazon Basin and are classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. In November, Sea Shepherd, an international conservation nonprofit, and INPA, a public education and research organization, concluded the first of six expeditions planned as part of the three-year study. The 19-day... [Log in to read more]
