sign in sign up
<<
Home , Amazon river dolphin, Boto, Fen

The Action Plan for South American River 2010 – 2020

Fernando Trujillo, Enrique Crespo, Paul André van Damme and José Saulo Usma

WWF - Fundación Omacha - WCS - WDCS - Solamac The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Contents

Foreword 5

Acknowledgments 7

Resumen ejecutivo 9 Copyright Reproduction of this publication for educational Resumo executivo 11 or non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully Introduction 13 acknowledged.

Citation Chapter 1. Status of river dolphins in South America 15 Trujillo, F., Crespo, E., Van Damme, P.A. & geoffrensis J.S. Usma (Editors). 2010. The Action Plan for 1.1. Status, distribution and conservation of the river dolphins 17 South American River Dolphins 2010 – 2020. and spp. in Marcela Portocarrero Aya, Arnaldo Ferrer, Carlos A. Lasso, Manuel Ruiz- WWF, Fundación Omacha, WDS, WDCS, Solamac. Bogotá, D.C., Colombia. 249 pp. García, Jaime Bolaños-Jiménez & Susana Caballero 1.2. Status and conservation of river dolphins Inia geoffrensisand Sotalia 29 fluviatilis ISBN: 978-958-8554-10-5 in the Amazon and River Basins in Colombia Fernando Trujillo, Marcela Portocarrero-Aya, Catalina Gómez-Salazár, María Claudia Diazgranados, Luisa Castellanos-Mora, Manuel Ruiz- Photos García & Susana Caballero Fundación Omacha 59 1.3. Ecology and of river dolphins Inia and Sotalia in Peru Tamara L. McGuire & Enzo Aliaga-Rossel Printed by 1.4. Inia geoffrensis Sotalia fluviatilis Unión Gráfica Ltda. and : A brief review of the ecology and 87 Bogotá, D.C., Colombia conservation status of river dolphins in the Ecuadorian Amazon Víctor Utreras B., Esteban Suárez R. & Salime Jalil

Design and Diagramation 1.5. Distribution and conservation status of the Bolivian river Inia 99 boliviensis Luisa Fernanda Cuervo Garzón (d’Orbigny 1832) [email protected] Gabriela Tavera, Enzo Aliaga-Rossel, Paul A. Van Damme & Alvaro Crespo Contents

[ 3 ] 1.6. Status, threats, conservation initiatives and possible solutions for Inia 123 and in Foreword Vera M. F. da Silva & Anthony R.Martin situation, the conservation of these particular dolphin group of specialists all around South species, which were believed to be the most Chapter 2. Summary of threats for river dolphins in South America: Past, present and 145 America. It concerns about the status of the future currently recognized species (Inia was reviewed by IUCN in 1994 (Reeves & Fernando Trujillo, Enrique Crespo, Paul van Damme, Saulo Usma, Diana and , Leatherwood, 1994) and again in 2003 (Reeves Morales-Betancourt, Alison Wood & Marcela Portocarrero threats to their survival, and measures needed et al. 2003) always putting emphasis in coastal to better understand and address those threats. small cetaceans and river dolphins.

Chapter 3. Freshwater protected areas and their importance for river dolphin conservation 159 the discussions carried out in a meeting carried Dolphins in South America is divided in Marcela Portocarrero Aya, Erich Hoyt & Alison Wood out in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, in 2008 several chapters containing the status of the with the important objective of evaluating the species, with associated papers summarizing status of the populations of the River Dolphins the information for each country, the summary Chapter 4. Abundance estimation program of South American river dolphins 2006- 167 in their distribution countries and to build an and evaluation of threats, the role of protected 2009: A summary Action Plan to guarantee their survival. It must areas for river dolphin conservation, a summary Fernando Trujillo, Catalina Gómez-Salazar, Marcela Portocarrero, María be said that the objectives were achieved. More of the abundance estimations of river dolphin Claudia Diazgranados & Saulo Usma than 40 river dolphin biologists and government in South America between 2006 and 2009, and the Action plan itself with a special body and designed the Action Plan for river dolphins of legislat ion and policy, communications, Chapter 5. Action Plan for River Dolphins in South America 177 administration and institutional strengthen is probably one of the most important facts, that and education and community participation. Fernando Trujillo, Enrique Crespo, Paul Van Damme,Vera Da Silva, Saulo is was mainly carried out by South American Finally there are recommendations for research, Usma, Enzo Aliaga, Catalina Gómez-Salazar, Marcela Portocarrero, Esteban cetologists and ecologists, with the support of education and conservation for these species. Suárez, Carlos A. Lasso, Arnaldo Ferrer & Jaime Bolaños local, national and international organizations.

· 181 Getting to this meeting in Bolivia took a people. I am proud that this was an initiative · Legislation and policy 185 when Fernando Trujillo was President of · Communications 190 background for these objectives was set up a few SOLAMAC (2006-2008) and that together · Administration and institutional strengthening 193 decades ago when a River Dolphin Workshop with him we could set a policy of medium · Education and community participation 195 was organized in the People’s Republic of China term to the society. I hope that this is a very interesting and exiting example of long term was going on in Amazonia was given to the policies to carry out in the future. Chapter 6. Recommended research, conservation and education initiatives 199

important report and associated publications. Chapter 7. References 213

Plan for Cetacean Conservation compiled by Enrique A. Crespo, Ph.D. Chapter 8. List of participants – organizations (Brief summary) 241 William Perrin (Perrin, 1988). After that, many President of SOLAMAC 2008-2010 IUCN/SSC Cetacean Specialist Group Contents South American Coordinator the world in order to get a deep insight of the Foreword [ 4 ] [ 5 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Acknowledgements

We are indebted to the World Wildlife Fund to the Workshop for the formulation of this (WWF), Wildlife Conservation Society Action Plan, held in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, (WCS), Whale and Dolphin Conservation Bolivia in April 2008. Their participation, Society (WDCS) and the Whitley Fund for enthusiasm and willingness to devote time Nature, for their financial and technical support and thought to our requests for advice and through the formulation of this Action Plan; assistance are testimony to their commitment to Fundacion La Salle de Ciencias Naturales to river dolphins’ conservation. (Venezuela), Asociación Faunagua (Bolivia), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia We want to thank WWF through Mary Lou (INPA), Fundación Omacha (Colombia) and Higgins, Alyce Eymard and Marco Flores the Instituto de Investigación de Recursos for encouraging and supporting a long term Biológicos for regional initiative for river dolphins in South their scientific and technical advise. We are America. additionally grateful to the Latinamerican Aquatic Society (SOLAMAC) for Finally, thanks to María Claudia Diazgranados, their regional support. Marcela Portocarrero-Aya and Nicholas Panayiotou for their contribution in the Moreover, we are indebted to all the editorial process of this document. contributions received from the participants Acknowledgements [ 6 ] [ 7 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Resumen ejecutivo

Los delfines de río son unas de las especies más y la Fundación Omacha (Colombia) con el amenazadas en el mundo. Generalmente habitan apoyo de WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) en países en desarrollo en Asia y Suramérica, y muchas más organizaciones en cada país. Este donde una gran diversidad de actividades programa ha recorrido más de 7.000 km de humanas los pone en riesgo. En Asia por ríos en las cuencas del Amazonas y el Orinoco ejemplo, hace dos años la Unión Internacional y ha capacitado cerca de 80 investigadores de para la Naturaleza (UICN) declaró al delfín nueve países. A través de estos recorridos se del río Yangtze como Extinto Ecológicamente. identificaron las amenazas más relevantes para La sobrepesca, la contaminación y la dramática las especies en cada país, se generó una red transformación de este río por la construcción de trabajo importante entre organizaciones e de la represa más grande del mundo precipitaron investigadores, y se implementó una estrategia su extinción. La situación no es mucho mejor en de comunicación global capturando la atención Pakistán, la India o el río Mekong en Cambodia de los gobiernos sobre estas especies. Esto creó y Myanmar, donde sobreviven precariamente el ambiente propicio para diseñar el Action Plan for South American River Dolphins otras especies. 2010 - 2020, que se concretó en Abril del 2008 en la ciudad de Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, En Suramérica habitan tres especies de donde confluyeron cerca de 50 participantes, delfines de agua dulce: el bufeo rosadoInia ( de 11 países, con representantes de gobiernos, geoffrensis) y el delfín gris (Sotalia fluviatilis), investigadores y la UICN. El Plan tomó dos ambos en las cuencas del los rios Amazonas y años para que estar listo y refleja las situaciones Inia boliviensis Orinoco, y el bufeo boliviano ( ), y necesidades generales de todos los países. mayormente en Bolivia en los rios Mamoré, Se identifican las acciones más urgentes para Itenez y Madeira. La situación de estas especies garantizar la supervivencia de estas especies, al no es tan dramática como en Asia, pero ya se igual que sobresale, la necesidad de evaluar y observan amenazas concretas que de no ser mitigar los impactos de las pesquerías, detener controladas pueden llevar a la extinción de la captura dirigida de estos cetáceos y evaluar las nuestro patrimonio natural. Actualmente, consecuencias de la construcción de represas e los principales problemas para estos delfines hidroeléctricas sobre los ecosistemas acuáticos. están ocasionados por capturas dirigidas para ser usados como carnada, principalmente en El Plan igualmente resalta la necesidad Brasil, interacciones negativas con pesquerías y de generar alternativas económicas para retaliaciones de pescadores que les disparan o comunidades locales para poder implementar los envenenan, contaminación de los ríos por estrategias de conservación que sean efectivas mercurio e hidrocarburos, y fragmentación del y que motiven a los ribereños y gobiernos a hábitat por causa de la construcción de represas. consolidar esfuerzos de manejo en los grandes Debido a todas estas amenazas, se hacía ecosistemas acuáticos de Suramérica. fundamental conocer el estado de conservación de estas especies, y por tal razón se creó un En esta estrategia de conservación se hace programa de estimación de abundancia de explícita también la importancia de los delfines delfines de río en Suramérica liderado por WWF de río en el continente como especies bandera, Resumen ejecutivo [ 8 ] [ 9 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

sombrilla y carismáticas que representan Finalmente, el Plan esboza las principales la biodiversidad acuática de la región y se acciones para los próximos diez años, y se Resumo executivo convierten en excelentes embajadores de convierte en una iniciativa regional, que cuenta los ecosistemas y de las especies acuáticas desde sus inicios con el apoyo y participación Os golfinhos de rio são umas das espécies mais Sul liderado pela WWF (Fundo Mundial para de las cuencas Amazónica y Orinocense. de los gobiernos, fuentes financiadoras, ameaçadas do mundo. Habitam geralmente a Natureza – World Wide Fund for Nature) e Estas particularidades sumadas a su carácter investigadores y comunidades locales. países em desenvolvimento da Ásia e América Fundação Omacha (Colômbia) com o apoio migratorio hacen que las especies adquieran do Sul, onde uma grande diversidade de da WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), e una mayor importancia para la búsqueda Los lineamientos escogidos esperan poder atividades humanas colocam-nos em risco. Na muitas outras organizações em cada país. Este e implementación de nuevas estrategias de involucrar a todos los actores que de manera Ásia, por exemplo, a União Internacional para programa percorreu mais de 7.000 km de rios conservación. Actualmente lo anterior permite directa o indirecta influyen en la conservación a Natureza (UICN) classificou o Golfinho do que se desarrollen de manera conjunta planes e de las especies y sus ecosistemas, y con esto nas bacias no Amazonas e Orinoco, e capacitou Rio Yangtze como extinto ecologicamente. aproximadamente 80 pesquisadores de nove iniciativas de conservación en Áreas Protegidas poder asegurar la efectiva implementación del A sobrepesca, a contaminação e a dramática (AP), y se deje a consideración la importancia Plan. países. Através destas incursões pelos rios sul- transformação deste rio pela construção da americanos, as ameaças mais relevantes para as de crear nuevas Áreas de conservación donde maior represa do mundo levaram à extinção da los delfines de río sean los protagonistas. espécies foram identificadas, gerou-se uma rede espécie. A situação não é melhor no Paquistão, de trabalho importante entre organizações e na Índia ou no Rio Mekong no Camboja e pesquisadores, e se implementou uma estratégia Mianmar, onde sobrevivem precariamente de comunicação global, chamando a atenção outras espécies. dos governos sobre estas espécies. Isto criou o ambiente propício para elaborar o Action Na América do Sul, habitam três espécies de Plan for South American River Dolphins golfinhos de água doce: o -rosaInia ( 2010 – 2020 (Plano de Ação para Golfinhos geoffrensis) e o boto-cinza ou (Sotalia de Rio da América do Sul 2010 – 2020), que se fluviatilis), ambos nas bacias dos rios Amazonas concretizou em Abril de 2008 na cidade de Santa e Orinoco, e o boto-boliviano (Inia boliviensis), Cruz de La Sierra, Bolívia, onde convergiram encontrado principalmente na Bolívia, nos rios aproximadamente 50 participantes de 11 países, Mamoré, Itenez e Madeira. A situação destas com representantes de governos, pesquisadores espécies não é tão dramática como na Ásia, mas já se observam ameaças concretas que, se e a UICN. O plano foi concluído em dois anos, não forem controladas, podem levar à extinção e reflete as situações e necessidades de todos os de nosso patrimônio natural. Atualmente, os países. Identificam-se as ações mais urgentes principais problemas para estes golfinhos são para garantir a sobrevivência das espécies, a ocasionados por capturas intencionais para necessidade de avaliar e mitigar os impactos serem usados como isca, principalmente no das pescarias, deter a captura intencional Brasil, por interações negativas com pescarias e destes cetáceos e avaliar as conseqüências da retaliações por parte dos pescadores, que atiram construção de represas e hidrelétricas sobre os com armas de fogo e envenenam os animais, ecossistemas aquáticos. O Plano igualmente pela contaminação dos rios por mercúrio e ressalta a necessidade de gerar alternativas hidrocarbonetos, e pela fragmentação do habitat econômicas para as comunidades locais, para através da construção de represas. Com base poder implementar estratégias de conservação nestas ameaças, era fundamental conhecer o que sejam efetivas e que motivem os ribeirinhos estado de conservação destas espécies, e, por esta e governos a consolidar esforços de manejo nos razão, foi criado um programa de estimação de grandes ecossistemas aquáticos da América do

Resumen ejecutivo abundância de golfinhos de rio na América do Sul. Resumo executivo [ 10 ] [ 11 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Nesta estratégia de conservação, explicita-se Conservação (UCs), e expressa a importância também a importância dos golfinhos de rio no de criar novas áreas de conservação onde os Introduction continente como espécies bandeira, guarda-chuva golfinhos de rio sejam os protagonistas. e carismáticas, que representam a biodiversidade aquática da região e se transformam em Finalmente, o Plano esboça as principais ações The Amazon and Orinoco Basins constitute America. For that reason the Fundación Omacha excelentes embaixadores dos ecossistemas e das para os próximos dez anos, e se converte em uma probably the largest reservoirs of freshwater of and WWF developed the First Abundance espécies aquáticas das regiões Amazônicas e do iniciativa regional, que conta desde seu início our planet. Occupying more than 6,8 million Estimation Program of South American River Orinoco. Estas particularidades, somadas a seu com o apoio e participação dos governos, fontes of square kilometers, the Amazon itself is the Dolphins (2006 – 2009) in order to provide caráter migratório, fazem com que as espécies de financiamento, pesquisadores e comunidades largest River Basin in the world (Goulding regional information on abundance, densities adquiram uma maior importância para a locais. Espera-se que as considerações envolvam et al. 2001). In this gigantic geographic and population sizes in five different South busca e implementação de novas estratégias de todos os atores que de maneira direta ou indireta area thousands of species needed to adapt American countries (Colombia, Venezuela, conservação. Atualmente, o plano permite que influenciam na conservação das espécies e seus themselves to the dramatic flooded pulses, and Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia). Some of the se desenvolvam de maneira conjunta planos e ecossistemas, e com isto poder assegurar a were not the exception. Between all results were already presented at international iniciativas de conservação em Unidades de correta implementação do Plano. of them, river dolphins are the most remarkable congresses and scientific papers are under creatures, being able to be in main rivers, development. tributaries, , and even in the flooded areas and became the top aquatic predators Abundance estimations, negative interaccions in these ecosystems. However, their incredible with fisheries, impact of gold mining, dams adaptation process to the ecology of the Amazon and hidrocarbure projects are among the most urgent recommendations to be evaluated. and Orinoco has been disrupted by the relatively Since 1986 projects around river dolphins were recenthuman activity: negative interaction with consolidated in Brazil and Colombia, where long fisheries, deliberate hunting, , term evaluations have been carried out (Best & water pollution and fragmentation of habitats. Da Silva 1984, 1989ab, Da Silva 1994, Trujillo 1994, Martin & Da Silva 2000, Trujillo 2000, As a result of this situation, river dolphins, both Gómez et al. 2008). In countries such as Peru, in Asia and South America, became one of the Ecuador, Venezuela and Bolivia significant most endangered mammal species in the world. efforts have also been made but corresponded As river dolphins inhabit third world countries to isolated initiatives of researchers doing the efforts for their conservation has not been their thesis (Utreras 1995, McGuirre 1995, easy, especially because most of the negative Leatherwood 1996, Aliaga 2002). During the human practices in the region are the result of last few years important advances has been no other economic alternatives and the limited made in different topics around river dolphins presence of governmental organizations and in South America, especially in abundance strategies. Conservation of river dolphins should (Vidal et al. 1993, Martin & Da Silva 2004b; have a holistic approach in South America, Gómez et al. 2009), habitat use (Martin & Da regarding how to mitigate negative impacts Silva, 2004a), interactions with fisheries (Da of human activities and develop sustainable Silva 1996, Trujillo 2003, Gómez et al. 2008, environmental practices. Bonilla et al. 2008) and genetics (Banguera- Hinestroza et al. 2002, Ruiz-García et al. 2007, For more than 20 years, researchers from Caballero et al. 2009ab). At the same time, different countries have recommended the cooperation between researchers is becoming implementation of programs that allow more common and also the standardization of

Resumo executivo establishing the status of these species in South methodologies. Introduction [ 12 ] [ 13 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

As threats can be different in each country, in Asia, where recently the (Lipotes the IUCN has promoted red data books vexillifer) was considered ecologically extint. of endangered species for each one. The Several organizations such as WWF, Wildlife consideration of a precautionary approach to Conservation Society, Whale and Dolphin not miscategorize the species, and the inclusion Conservation Society among others have of the scientific evidence available have focussed efforts and funding to preserve these been tools to most of the countries in South species both in Asia and South America. As America that have followed the instructions part of a global strategy, several meetings from IUCN to produce their own red data have been carried out between organizations books of endangered species. In all cases, the and researchers in different countries and category for Inia is Vulnerable and for Sotalia in many of them there always emerged the varies from DD to Endangered (Tirira 2001, recommendation of specific action plans for Rodríguez-Mahecha et al. 2006, Rodríguez these species that encourage governments to take & Rójas-Suárez 2008, Ministerio de Medio actions to conserve these unique . For Ambiente y Agua, 2009). Despite these local this reason, and after the effort of many people categorizations, the IUCN adopted a different in South America, we held the South American classification at international level, and all River Dolphins Action Plan workshop in the river dolphin species are now considered Data city of Santa Cruz (Bolivia) in April of 2008. Deficient (DD) (IUCN 2008). This situation In this meeting of more than 40 researchers should discuss and try to evaluate the level of and officers of governments from more than threat regarding the available information. eight countries, we deliberated the Action Plan for river dolphins in the Amazon and Orinoco Due to the high levels of threat for aquatic River Basins. mammals, the same IUCN has published specific Actions Plans for the conservations of The Action Plan is divided in seven main Cetaceans worldwide (Reeves & Leatherwood chapters: 1) the status of river dolphins in 1994, Reeves et al. 2003). These action plans South America, with novel papers summarizing have been very useful to address specific actions the information for each country; 2) an analysis to evaluate the status of endangered species, of threats for these species, 3) freshwater and has linked efforts of several organizations, protected areas and their role for river dolphin governments and international agreements. conservation, 4) the Abundance Estimation River dolphins have always been part of these Program for South American River Dolphins, action plans, and in 2000 were considered 5) the Action plan, 6) recommendations for for the first time at the 52th International research, conservation, education initiatives Whaling Commission meeting. The state of and policy and legislation for these species, and affairs of these species is particularly critical finally 7) references. Introduction

[ 14 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Chapter 1 Status of river dolphins in South America The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Status of river dolphins in South America

1.1. Status, distribution and conservation of the river dolphins Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia spp. in Venezuela

Marcela Portocarrero Aya¹, Arnaldo Ferrer², Carlos A. Lasso3, Manuel Ruiz-García4, Jaime Bolaños-Jiménez5 & Susana Caballero6.

(1) Fundación Omacha, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia - [email protected] (2) Fundación La Salle de Ciencias Naturales, Venezuela - [email protected] (3) Instituto de Investigación de los Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt - [email protected] (4) Lab. Genética de Poblaciones Molecular y Biología Evolutiva. Departamento de Biología. Facultad de Ciencias. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Bogotá, D.C. - [email protected]; (5) Sociedad Ecológica SEA Vida - [email protected]; (6) Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular de Vertebrados Acuáticos, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia - [email protected]

Abstract

Little information exists about river dolphins in Dolphin), and Sotalia spp. (Gray Dolphin) in the Orinoco River Basin mainly in Venezuela. Venezuela. Information about distribution, In this article we review the current knowledge abundance, habitat use, mortality, threats,

Chapter 1 of the dolphins Inia geoffrensis (Pink River legal status and conservation initiatives are Chapter 1 [ 16 ] [ 17 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

presented. The main threat for this species is the Propuestas sobre implementación de estrategias Introduction of Inia in the Aguaro – Guariquito Nacional negative interaction with local fisheries and the de conservación se presentan, integrando Park and based on his observations generated degradation of their habitat by agrochemicals, metas conservacionistas con intereses de las The history of river dolphins in Venezuela is linebase to develop its Conservation Action mining and industrial effluents. The oil comunidades locales, a nivel local, nacional y dated back in 1647, when Inia geoffrensis was Plan in Venezuela. exploitation constitutes a potential threat for regional. La categoría de conservación “bajo first described, later in 1755 appeared the first both species in the Orinoco River Basin. Other riesgo” para estas especies en Venezuela, se basa written description of Inia by P. Löfling, but threats are habitat modification and the fish en la información disponible en el Libro Rojo those manuscripts are missing (Romero et al. Species and local names overexploitation. Proposals for the development de Fauna de Venezuela. 1997). Years later, in 1782, the first publication of conservation strategies are made, integrating of a description of a cetacean in Venezuelan conservation goals with the interests of local Palabras clave: Delfines de río, Venezuela, was presented (Inia sp.) (Gilij, 1782). In Local names for Sotalia sp. vary according to communities and the inclusion of actions to Inia, Sotalia, conservación. 1814 Alexander von Humboldt published an the Basin in which it is found. In the Maracaibo be taken at local, national and international encounter with Inia and possibly with Sotalia system, that includes the Maracaibo, the levels. The category of “low risk” is adopted for (von Humboldt 1814). The presence of Sotalia strait and the Gulf of Venezuela (Viloria & these species in Venezuela on the basis of the Resumo sp. in Venezuela was confirmed for the first Barros 2000), is referred as “tonina del lago” available information of the Red Book of Fauna time in 1912 (Osgood 1912). Many years later, (Tonina of Lake). In the Orinoco River Basin Há poucos estudos e pesquisas dos golfinhos of Venezuela. Trebbau (1975) made observations of Inia in it is called “bufeo negro”, “bufete”, “delfín de de rio na bacia do rio Orinoco especialmente the Apure River and mentioned some aspects río” or “soplón”. It has also been called “tonina na Venezuela. Este artigo apresenta o estado Key words: River dolphins, Venezuela, Inia, of their distribution, diet, variation on the costera” (Bolaños-Jiménez et al. 2008a). Inia atual dos golfinhos de rio Inia geoffrensis Sotalia, conservation. geoffrensis is known in Venezuela as “tonina (boto rosa) e de Sotalia sp. (boto cinza ou patterns of color with age and behavior in the del Orinoco”, “tonina rosada”, “tonina rosada tucuxi) na Venezuela. Se apresenta informação field and in captivity (Trebbau 1975). Pilleri & del Orinoco” or “bufeo colorado” (Bolaños- sobre distribuição, abundância, uso de Pilleri (1982) suggested the presence of both Resumen hábitat, mortalidade, ameaças, status legal e species in Venezuela. Jimenez et al. 2008b). iniciativas de conservação. A maior ameaça Es poca la información que existe sobre las para estas espécies são as interações negativas Schnapp & Howroyd (1992) pointed out dos especies de delfines de río de la cuenca aspects of the distribution and ecology of Inia com pescadores locais e a destruição do Distribution del Orinoco especialmente en Venezuela. habitat devido à contaminação das águas pela in the Orinoco and Apure Rivers, and reported Este artículo presenta el estado actual de atividade minera e os efluentes industriais. O values of abundance and density in the Apure Inia geoffrensis: In Venezuela this species is conocimiento de los delfines de ríoInia geoffrensis aproveitamento de hidrocarburos constitui uma and Apurito Rivers. They also recorded inverse widely distributed in the Orinoco River Basin. (delfín rosado o tonina) y de Sotalia spp. (Delfín ameaça potencial para as dois espécies na bacia relations between the group size of these gris) en Venezuela. Se presenta información do rio Orinoco. Ameaças como a diminuição dolphins and the speed flow of the river. They inhabit the entire length of the Orinoco sobre distribución, abundancia, uso de hábitat, de habitat e sobre exploração pesqueira também including its tributaries. The dolphins have mortalidad, amenazas, estatus legal e iniciativas apresentam um risco para a sobrevivência McGuire & Winemiller (1998) reported been seen mainly in the Delta region upstream de conservación. Las mayores amenazas para destas espécies. Propostas sobre implementação aspects of the ecology and distribution of Inia at Ciudad Bolivar, Caicara del Orinoco and estas especies son las interacciones negativas con de estratégias de conservação são apresentadas, in the Cinaruco River in the Santos Luzardo near Puerto Ayacucho as well as the tributaries pescadores locales y la degradación del hábitat integrando metas de conservação com interesses National Park (Apure State) and recorded including the Apure (Portuguesa, Guanare, debido a la contaminación de las aguas por das comunidades locais, ao nível local, nacional the mean group size of the dolphins sighted. Guaritico rivers), Capanaparo, Cinaruco and agroquímicos, minería y efluentes industriales. e regional. A categoria de conservação “baixo Carantoña (1999) considered the ecology of Caura rivers (Orinoco River Basin), and in the La explotación de hidrocarburos por su parte, risco” para estas espécies na Venezuela se baseia Inia in the “Caño Guaritico Wildlife Refuge” upper Caño Casiquiare and Río Negro in the constituye una amenaza potencial para ambas na informação disponível do Livro Vermelho (Apure River Basin), where were reported Basin (Amazonas State). There especies en la cuenca del Orinoco. Otras da Fauna Ameaçada da Venezuela. values of abundance, local movements, spatial is no geographical or ecological barrier between amenazas como la modificación de hábitat y and seasonal distribution and group size, day the populations of both Basins (Romero et la sobre explotación pesquera también ponen Palavras chave: golfinhos de rio, Venezuela, light activities and mortality causes. A year al. 2001, Rodríguez & Rojas-Suarez 1999, en riesgo la supervivencia de estas especies. Inia, Sotalia, conservação. Trebbau & van Bree 1974).

Chapter 1 later, Rodríguez (2000) evaluated the ecology Chapter 1 [ 18 ] [ 19 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Sotalia spp.: von Humboldt (1814) was values for the same species are about 1,16 ind/ probably the first naturalist to document the km2 (Rodríguez & Rojas-Suarez 1999) (Table presence of coastal dolphins that ascended to 1). Schnapp & Howroyd (1992) reported the mouths of rivers in Venezuela. During his density values of 0,56 ind/km2 in the Apure travels in northern South America, between River and values of 1,15 ind/km2 in the Apurito 1799 and 1804, he noted near San Fernando River. For the Aguaro River system, Rodríguez de Apure, the presence of relatively small (2000), reported values of 1,29 ± 0,14 ind/ dolphins with prominent dorsal fins. Since km2 in the summer season, values of 1,44 these first descriptions, it is safe to assume ind/km2 in the transition of waters and 0,7 that the dolphins described by von Humboldt ± 0,18 ind/km2for the winter season. For the belonged to the genus later recognized as Sotalia Guariquito Apurito system, reported values for (Caballero et al. 2007). Sotalia occurs mostly in the winter season of 0,19 ± 0,16 ind/km2 and the Orinoco Delta and all along the Orinoco for the summer season of 0,19 ± 0,07 ind/km2. River through the Parguaza rapids located 815 Escovar (2002), obtained densities of 1,68 ind/ Km upward from the mouth of the Orinoco km2 in the summer season and values of 0,85 River (Boher et al. 1995, Bolaños-Jiménez et al. ind/km2 for rainy season in the Suripá River. 2007) (Figure 2). Recent studies carried out by the Fundación Omacha, Fundación La Salle de Ciencias As mentioned earlier, it is unclear if the animals Naturales (FLSCN), Wildlife Conservation in the Orinoco belong to the riverine species of Society (WCS), and WWF in May 2006, Figure 1. Map of the distribution of Inia geoffrensis in the Orinoco River Basin in Venezuela . Sotalia Sotalia fluviatilis 2 (Source: Ferrer, 2010). , , or if these are coastal report values of 1,35 ind/km for islands and animals (Sotalia guianensis) that colonized the 1,57 ind/km2 for Orinoco River. Those values mouth of the Orinoco and migrated up-river were the result of a 400 km survey from the (Boher et al. 1995). town of Mapire (Anzoátegui State) to the Parguaza River rapids (Bolivar State) (Trujillo In the Maracaibo System, the coastal species et al. 2006c, Pardo 2007), using the Distance Sotalia guianensis can be found in the Maracaibo methodology (Buckland et al. 1993). Lake and in the area near the strait that connects the lake with the Gulf of Venezuela Sotalia sp.: There are limited efforts focused on (Bolaños-Jiménez et al. 2008a). The species the estimation of densities or abundance for this presence in in the Venezuelan species. Values obtained in the survey carried Caribbean Sea has been recorded on the basis of out by Fundación Omacha in 2006 are of 1,15 strandings (Bolaños-Jiménez et al. 2008a) and ind/km2 in the main channel of the Orinoco sightings in northeastern Venezuela (Estévez & River, from the town of Mapire upriver to the Oviedo 2007). Parguasa rapids close to the Colombian border (Trujillo et al. 2006c, Pardo 2007) (Table 1).

Densities and abundance Habitat use Inia geoffrensis: Pilleri & Pilleri (1982) estimated densities values of 0.02 and 0.03 ind/ Inia geoffrensis: Only few studies that were km2 for Inia in the Orinoco River and Caño carried out in Venezuela, describe the use of Casiquiare respectively, while in the Apure the habitat. Trebbau & van Bree (1974) supported Chapter 1 Figure 2. Map of the distribution of Sotalia spp. in the Orinoco River Basin in Venezuela.

(Source: Ferrer, 2010). Chapter 1 [ 20 ] [ 21 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Table 1. Densities values (ind/km2) of Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia sp. in the river systems of Venezuela. delta (internal small fresh water tributaries), the Putumayo River (0.228%) or for Bolivia as it is in the estuarine delta and at the mouth (0.160%). For the cytochrome b gene, this Locality Density Source in the Atlantic (Lasso pers. obs.), but trend was also recorded. unfortunately there are no recorded data. Inia geoffrensis Sotaliasp. For the first statistic, the Orinoco River Basin Orinoco and Casiquiare 0,02 – 0,03 Pilleri & Pilleri (1982) presented a value of 7.133, meanwhile the values Rivers Taxonomic status – Genetics of the Putumayo River (2.747) and Mamore Apure River 1,16 Rodríguez & Rojas-Suárez (1999) River (0.201) were significantly lower. The 0,56 Inia geoffrensis humboldtiana: Pilleri & Gihr same was certain for the nucleotide diversity. Apure and Apurito River Schnapp & Howroyd (1992) 1,15 (1977) divided the genus in two species: Inia The Orinoco River Basin (1.16%) showed a boliviensis in the Beni-Mamore River systems significantly higher value than Putumayo River Aguaro River 1,29 Rodríguez (2000) of Bolivia and Inia geoffrensis in the Amazon (0.46%) and Mamore River (0.03%). In recent Guariquito-Apurito 0,19 Rodríguez (2000) and Orinoco River Basins. This last species was years additional molecular markers confirmed System subdivided in two subspecies: Inia geoffrensis the fact that the Orinoco population presented Suripá River 1,68 Escovar (2002) geoffrensis (Amazon subspecies) and Inia the highest levels of gene diversity, or near to Orinoco River 1,57 1,15 Trujillo et al. (2006c), Pardo (2007) geoffrensis humboldtiana (Orinoco subspecies). the highest levels, of all the pink river dolphins Casinos & Ocaña (1979) considered that studied until the present (Ruiz-García et al. there were not enough taxonomic differences 2007). This was the main fact that provoked to subdivide this taxa in two species and they that the Orinoco River Basin was postulated the idea that Inia prefers brownish colored, in the Aguaro System. Besides, the author considered the existence of a unique species like the possible origin and point of dispersion turbid and slowly streaming or temporary concludes that there is not a relation between with three subspecies Inia geoffrensis boliviensis, of the current Inia forms. Nevertheless, during stagnant waters. Schnapp & Howroyd (1992) physicalchemical characteristics of the water I. geoffrensis geoffrensis and I. geoffrensis the previous years a new vision of the gene discussed the preference of Inia to aggregate and the presence of the dolphins. In this study humboldtiana (Trebbau & Van Bree 1974, composition of the Orinoco River Basin Inia following the movements of characids Inia was found exploring habitats with a high Grabert 1984, Sylvestre 1985, Best & da Silva populations has been reached. (Characiformes) and (Siluriformes) range of abiotic conditions and used the same 1989a, da Silva 1994). into the floodplains to and feed. These area for long periods of time no matter the The considerable amount of new mitochondrial authors agreed with the idea proposed by changes in the characteristics of the water. Banguera-Hinestroza et al. (2002) obtained control region sequences obtained and the Trebbau & van Bree (1974), in which they data of intra and inter-populational variation DNA microsatellite results (Ruiz-García 2008, suggested that Inia maybe a sedentary species Sotalia sp.: Sotalia is mainly seen in the main at the mitochondrial control region and at Ruiz-García et al. 2008d, 2008e) showed that, occupying localized ranges during part of the river where the species has no problem to defeat the cytochrome b gene of the Amazon River at least two different lineages of pink river year. McGuire & Winemiller (1998) carried speed currents. Density values obtained in 2006 dolphin (Inia sp.) from different populations dolphins are living nowadays in some Orinoco out a study at the Cinaruco River and reported (Trujillo et al. 2006c, Pardo 2007) showed this throughout its geographical range. For the rivers coming from some original Amazon that the species was found more often in the preference compared with values for the other mitochondrial control region, the Orinoco lineages (Ruiz-García 2008, Ruiz-García et confluences (35% of the sightings). The presence stratums equal to 0. This doesn’t mean that individual sample analyzed showed the highest al. 2008d, 2008e). These two lineages were of rocks and sand banks was associated with a the species do not frequent those habitats but amounts of gene diversity among the pink independently generated by two different greater frequency of sightings and the sightings the low sightings are not enough to make this river dolphins studied in that work (Orinoco, migrations from the Amazon to the Orinoco increased with habitat heterogeneity. observation statistically significant.Sotalia does Putumayo, and Bolivia): The mean number River Basins, one about 4300 years ago and not have the ability to penetrate the flooded of pair wise differences in the Orinoco River another 5800 years ago. Therefore, the pink Rodríguez (2000) found that in the Aguaro- forest as Inia, but it is very common in lake Basin was 7.984, meanwhile the same statistic river dolphins from the Orinoco River Basin Guariquito National Park, the river dolphins systems that could be nurseries for fish and was only 0.912 for the Putumayo River and are paraphyletics and recently derived from used pool areas formed inside the main dolphins (Trujillo et al. 2006b). This species 0.641 for the Mamore River. In identical sense, the Amazon form. Thus, the humboldtiana channel; these “pools” present low currents. is very common in the Orinoco delta (Linares the nucleotide diversity was extremely higher subspecies is not sustained by molecular data. These habitats were seen more frequently for the Orinoco River Basin (1,966%) than for Currently, nine mitochondrial control region Chapter 1 1998, Linares & Rivas 2004), in the fluvial Chapter 1 [ 22 ] [ 23 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

haplotypes have been detected. One lineage (Riverine ecotype Sotalia fluviatilis and the Table 2. Threats for river dolphins in Venezuela. is composed by the H8, H1, H3, H4, and H2 coastal Sotalia guianensis, Borobia et al. haplotypes, which included specimens from 1991, da Silva & Best 1994, Rice 1998) as Threats Location Description Meta, Orinoco, Inirida, Guaviare, and Bita full species under the GCC (Genealogical/ Direct rivers, whereas the second lineage is conformed Lineage Concordance Species Concept), based by the H9, H6, H5, and H7 haplotypes, on diagnostic genetic characters consistent Competition between dolphins and fishermen Orinoco River and Interactions with for the same resource. This makes fishermen which included dolphins sampled at the Meta, with the criterion of irreversible divergence. most of their white fishermen wound or kill dolphins to get them out of the Orinoco, and Arauca rivers. Therefore, both Actually, Caballero et al. (2007) and Boher et water tributaries. fishing areas. lineages lives intermixed in the same rivers. al. (1995), suggested that the dolphins reported However, more Inia populations must be in the lower Orinoco, 300 km up river, near Incidental catches in nets mostly during dry season is something that occurs every year. sampled towards the Orinoco Delta to confirm Ciudad Bolivar, seems to be Sotalia guianensis, Bycatch - Accidental Orinoco Delta, Apure The use of nylon monofilament gill nets, and globally the molecular results commented. but to confirm this additional data is necessary. killing River There are no scientific studies that confirm the the presence of more fishermen in the rivers, increases the odds of dolphin entanglement. One morphometric study showed that I. g. taxonomic status of Sotalia up river Ciudad humboldtiana could not be differentiated from Bolivar. The species distribution is confined The killing and posterior use of dolphins I. g. geoffrensis (Ruiz-García et al. 2006), as from the mouth of the Orinoco to the Parguaza decomposed flush to catch the scavenger catfish well as another study with 50 craniometrical rapids, just at 815 Km up from the mouth of the Use of dolphins as bait Apure River Mapurito to be sold in the markets of cities of Colombia, is threatening the populations of the variables with a canonic population analysis, Orinoco River. This geographical barrier does species. Bycatch animals are also used. also showed a clear superposition among not allow the dolphins to reach the Colombian samples from the Orinoco and Amazon River Orinoco. Indirect Basins (Castellanos-Mora et al. 2008). The expansion of the agriculture and cattle Although we are aware that populations in the activities are polluting the soils and cutting of Aguaro-Guariquito Sotalia sp.: The taxonomic status ofSotalia has middle Orinoco River and/or the Maracaibo Habitat degradation trees in order to increase their area. This has National Park been controversial. This species has been named System may later be assigned to another genetic been reflected in the conditions of the shores and with three different scientific names since it unit, we tentatively refer to the Maracaibo riparian forest. was identified by von Humboldt (1814). He populations as S. guianensis, and to the Orinoco The use of Mercury to extract gold has become was probably the first naturalist to document populations as Sotalia sp, in this paper. the most efficient way to pollute waters. The the existence of Sotalia in Venezuelan waters. toxicity of the Mercury is the most powerful way to harm not only waters but fish and top Delphinus fluviatilis, Delphinus pallidus and Gold mining Ventuari River Steno tucuxi (Robineau 1990, van Bree 1974, Threats and mortality predators too. The Mercury is bio-accumulative element that reposes in the tissues of fish, Hershkovitz 1966) all these are now synonyms dolphins, otters and humans, making them ill of Sotalia fluviatilis (da Silva & Best 1994). And The Orinoco River is one of the most threatened during a long period of time. names like Delphinus guianensis and Sotalia aquatic ecosystems in South America. Human brasiliensis by Van Bénéden (1864), synonyms activities like gold mining, oil industry, The transformation of the habitat and the of Sotalia guianensis (Hershkovitz 1963, da hydroelectric development, overfishing, water interruption of river flow, make dolphin Hydroelectric Dams Caroni River populations to segregate, putting at risk their Silva & Best 1994). Later the number of species pollution, destruction of riparian woods, direct reproductive activities and lowering the male- was reduced to two subspecies Sotalia fluviatilis killing of dolphins, conflicts between dolphins famale encounters. fluviatilis (the riverine) and Sotalia fluviatilis and fisheries, incidental catches and the use of guianensis (the coastal) (Cabrera 1961, Borobia dolphins as bait to catch the scavenger catfish The acoustic pollution affects the communication processes of dolphins. The increase of the number Caura and Orinoco et al. 1991). Mapurite () are the Boat traffic and of boats could influence dolphin activities in the rivers and the Caño main threats that river dolphins are facing in unregulated tourism future. Guaritico Wildlife Caballero et al. (2007) presented a formal Venezuela. This latter type of fishery has been activities The conduction of tourism activities, including Refuge proposal to recognize each Sotalia subspecies investigated by the Ministry of Environment dolphin watch, with no proper protocol, could Chapter 1

cause changing the behavior of the population. Chapter 1 [ 24 ] [ 25 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

(Bolaños-Jiménez & Hernández, 1996) and is migrations and breaking connectivity between Orinoco rivers and the Caño Guaritico Wildlife Venezuela. During the late nineties, dolphin apparently widespread throughout the Orinoco dolphin groups and the reduction of habitat for Refuge (Bolaños-Jiménez et al. 2008b). festivals were presented to school children in and Amazon River Basins (Trujillo et al. 2008, the popultion for fish because of the reduction Ciudad Bolívar as part of sensitizing efforts Flores et al. 2008). of the oxygen levels in water and the reduction by local entrepreneurs (Bolaños-Jiménez & of the amount of prey species for dolphins. Legal situation - Status and law Hernández 1996). Rodríguez (2000) found out that in the area of Also, the flow of the freshwater is reduced and the Aguaro-Guriquito National Park, the main this could affect some of the habitats selected by Presidential Decree 1485 forbids the capture The Red Book of the Venezuelan Fauna threat for the species is the habitat degradation dolphins to feed and settle (Klinowska 1991). of several cetacean species, including Inia (Rodríguez & Rojas-Suarez 1999) considers as a consequence of the effects of the irrigation geoffrenis and Sotalia (this latter under the the importance to develop research projects to systems, use of fertilizers or pesticides, In Venezuela, there are fishermen that still specific name S. fluviatilis). Any illegal capture evaluate the population situation of dolphins as deforestation and boat traffic. fish with dynamite. This practice is illegal, but of these species could be prosecuted by a Court to evaluate the threats that actually are risking commonly used and may kill dolphins. Actually in compliance of the “Ley Penal del Ambiente” the species, and with this information be able to In 2005, Fundación Omacha (Colombia) there is a strong competition between dolphins (“Criminal Environmental Act”, 1992). formulate Action Plans to preserve the species. together with Fundación La Salle de Ciencias and fishermen in collecting the fish, angering Another proposal is to evaluate the efficiency of Naturales (Venezuela) and WWF Colombia, the fishermen, who attempt to drive away, or The distribution range of this two dolphin Protected Areas System for the conservation of completed a study to evaluate the concentrations sometimes, to kill the dolphins (Klinowska species in Venezuela includes several protected populations and to increase the strength of the of mercury in commercial fish as indicators 1991). areas, such as the Santos Luzardo and activities of control and supervision inside the of the mercury contamination in freshwater Turuépano National Parks, the Orinoco Delta Protected Areas and outside of them. ecosystems in the Orinoco (Trujillo et al. Some cases of bycatch and consumptive use of Biosphere Reserve and the Tortuga Arrau 2005b). The results showed that the problem dolphins have been recorded in the Orinoco Wildlife Refuge. Both species are protected It is important to clarify the taxonomic status of toxicity caused by the mercury is a reality. Delta (Bolaños-Jiménez et al. submitted) and under the Law of Protection of Wild Fauna of Sotalia to be able to implement accurate Fish sampled in the markets in different places the Maracaibo system (Bolaños-Jiménez & of 1970 and not included in the Official List conservation initiatives and to know if the of the Orinoco River Basin in Colombia and Hernández 1996, Sánchez-Criollo et al. 2007). of species not to be hunted according to legal species seen in Venezuela is S. fluviatilis and/ Venezuela contained mercury in concentrations Some indigenous communities are using body regulations. or S. guainensis. Greater conservation effort higher than the limit allowed by the World parts of accidentally caught animals: tooth and should also be directed at the unique Maracaibo Health Organization (WHO). Some interesting genitalia, for religious events and the fat is used Lake population of Sotalia guianensis, which is observation was that some of the fish with high for respiratory illnesses (Trujillo 2000). Conservation initiatives threatened by oil production in its environment level of toxicity were captured in places far (Lentino & Bruni 1994). Research on its demographic status, life history and population away from the mining areas. This confirms the Up till now, the most important initiative hypothesis of bioaccumulation of the element The use of river dolphins as bait to catch estimates needs to be undertaken. Finer-scale Calophysus macropterus for the assessment of threats on a cetacean in migratory fish and top predators (Trujillo et Mapurite ( ), is one of analysis of genetic variation of Sotalia guianensis species in Venezuela was implemented by the al. 2005b). the most high risk activities that could reduce is needed to determine male-mediated gene flow Instituto para la Conservación del Lago de the dolphins populations in a short time. The between these restricted populations. Directed Maracaibo of the Ministry of Environment At the begging of the 90s the Guri Dam, feeding habits of this fish make fishermen kill systematic sampling of individuals belonging (ICLAM-MINAMB) in looking for solutions constructed in the Caroni River, a tributary of dolphins to later decompose and attract these to the Maracaibo Lake genetic management et al. et for the increase in number of strandings of the Orinoco in the Guyana Shield apparently scavenger fish (Flores 2008, Trujillo unit is needed to measure the “immune” al Sotalia guianensis in the Maracaibo system caused the depletion of Inia (Klinowska . 2008). This is the main threatening activity status of this population. Further investigation et al et al 1991). Other dams have been constructed (i.e. that it is not only occurring in the Orinoco, but (Pirela . 2002, Rojas . 2002, Troncone of MHC diversity should be accompanied Tocoma Dam in the same river) and there is no in the Amazon region too. et al. 2002; Bolaños-Jiménez et al. 2008a). by a comprehensive toxicological study to clue for the future of the river. As it is known Also important was the confirmation of the detect levels and potential effects of organic construction of dams pose several problems Inia geoffrensis is the target of unregulated occurrence of Sotalia guianensis in coastal areas hydrocarbons such as polycyclic aromatic to dolphin populations: reduction of food dolphin watching operations in several regions in northeastern Venezuela (Estévez & Oviedo hydrocarbons (PAHs) in tissue samples from 2007) and in the eastern side of the Gulf of Chapter 1 supply for dolphins upriver, interruption of fish of Venezuela, including the Apure, Caura and this population. Even though genetic diversity Chapter 1 [ 26 ] [ 27 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

at the mitochondrial level was found to be high and conservation initiatives in a new set of in this genetic management unit at present areas to increase the existing information. (Caballero 2006), low levels of polymorphism Finally, it is important to implement a plan at the MHC accompanied by high levels of for the acquisition of funds and international contaminants in tissue samples could indicate cooperation in order to accomplish the objectives vulnerability to habitat degradation, similar to of species and ecosystems conservation. the findings from studies on other cetaceans found in highly polluted areas, for example the beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) population in St. Recommendations Lawrence (Murray et al. 1999).

Research Conclusions Assessment of the population status, direct captures for mapurite (Calophysus macropterus) Populations of river dolphins in Venezuela have fisheries, bycatch, and tourism operations been studied since the XVII century but not in should be a priority. Also clarification of the a systematic way. These studies have revealed taxonomic status of Sotalia in the Orinoco information about the anatomy, behavior, River Basin is needed. distribution, ecology, habitat use, abundance and taxonomical status of river dolphins in specific rivers of the Orinoco River Basin in Education 1.2 Conservation status of river dolphins Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia the country. This information is not enough Training seminars for tour operators and local fluviatilis in the Amazon and Orinoco River Basins in Colombia and there is a lack of data about the species, fishermen in areas where dolphin-watching their threats and habitats in most of their area occurs, including San Fernando de Apure, Fernando Trujillo¹, Marcela Portocarrero-Aya1,2, Catalina Gómez-Salazár1,3, María 4 1 5 of distribution. The main cause of this lack Puerto Ordaz, San Félix, Puerto Ayacucho, and Claudia Diazgranados , Luisa Castellanos-Mora , Manuel Ruiz-García & Susana 6 of information could be the small group of Tucupita, capitals of riverine states. Caballero qualified researchers with expertise or interest in the species, as well as the lack of funds and (1) Fundación Omacha, Calle 86A No. 23 - 38, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia - programs established in order to deal with Conservation [email protected], [email protected] Update of the Presidential Decree 1485 to (2) Hull international Fisheries Institute, The University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK - river dolphins, their threats and the human [email protected] communities involved in their conservation. update the list of species and scientific names. (3) Dalhousie University, Biology Department, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H4J1, Canada - Inclusion of these species in the terms of [email protected] reference for assessment and monitoring of oil (4) Conservación Internacional, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia - [email protected] It is prioritary to consolidate a group of (5) Laboratorio de Genética de Poblaciones Molecular y Biología Evolutiva. Departamento de researchers in the area of river dolphins to work and gas operations. Continuity of the studies in Biología. Facultad de Ciencias. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Bogotá, D.C., Colombia - together with researchers of aquatic ecosystems the Maracaibo System. Inclusion of the species [email protected] in the Convention of Migratory Species of (6) Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular de Vertebrados Acuáticos, Departamento de Ciencias and fisheries. Also train new professionals and Biológicas Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia - [email protected] create an agenda to address future investigations 1979.

Abstract

River dolphins are among the world’s most their populations and the threats they face. endangered cetaceans, yet relatively little This article reviews current knowledge of

Chapter 1 is known about the conservation status of the (Inia geoffrensis) Chapter 1 [ 28 ] [ 29 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

and the Tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) in interacciones con comunidades humanas. Lo tucuxi) na Colômbia, incluindo interações exploitation of resources and the threat and Colombia, including interactions with human presentado acá es una recopilación de estudios com as comunidades humanas. O que está extinction of many species. Large rivers have communities. It draws on twenty years of on- realizados principalmente por la Fundación apresentado aqui é uma recopilação de estudos been devastated, leading to enormous losses in going studies made by the Foundation Omacha Omacha en los últimos veinte años, con ayuda realizados principalmente pela Fundación terms of quality of life for people that depend and collaborators throughout long term de colaboradores, sobre trabajos realizados en Omacha nos últimos vinte anos, com ajuda de on them, and in terms of diversity and wildlife research studies and opportunistic observations los ríos Amazonas, Orinoco, Meta, Caquetá colaboradores, sobre trabalhos realizados nos rios (Leatherwood & Reeves 1994). in different hydrological systems of the Amazon y Arauca, y de observaciones ocasionales Amazonas, Orinoco, Meta, Caquetá e Arauca, and Orinoco River Basins. Information about en diferentes sistemas fluviales. Se presenta e de observações ocasionais em diferentes One of the top predators that inhabit some distribution, abundance, habitat use, residency información sobre distribución, abundancia, sistemas hídricos. Se apresenta informação of the largest rivers Basins of the Asian and patterns, genetics, mortality, threats, legal uso de hábitat, biología, genética, mortalidad, sobre distribuição, abundância, uso de hábitat, South American continents are river dolphins, status and conservation initiatives is presented. amenazas, estatus legal e iniciativas de biologia, mortalidade, ameaças, status legal which are considered as the most endangered The main threat for this species is the negative conservación. Se concluye que entre las e iniciativas de conservação. Concluiu-se cetaceans in the world (Reeves et al. 2003). interaction with local fisheries and the killing principales amenazas para Inia se encuentran las que a maior ameaça para estas espécies são as River dolphins share resources closely with of the Amazon River dolphins (Inia) to be used interacciones negativas con pescadores locales y interações negativas com pescadores locais e human communities, such as food and habitat as bait to catch a scavenger catfish known as su uso como carnada para la captura de un pez o uso da Inia como isca para captura de um availability. Therefore, conservation efforts in Mota or Mapurito (Calophysus macropterus). carroñero conocido como Mota o Mapurito peixe carniceiro conhecido como Mota ou order to preserve river dolphin populations will Other main threats include habitat degradation (Calophysus macropterus). Otras actividades Mapurito (Calophysus macropterus). Ameaças directly benefit human communities and the and fish overexploitation. Finally, we proposed como la degradación y disminución de hábitat como degradação e diminuição de habitat e quality of aquatic habitats. conservation strategies that will integrate the y sobre explotación pesquera, también tienen sobre exploração pesqueira também apresenta conservation goals and interests of researchers, en riesgo la supervivencia de estas especies. um risco a sobrevivência destas espécies. There are five species of river dolphins in local communities, and institutions to develop Finalmente se presentan propuestas sobre Finalmente, propostas sobre implementação the world, four of them living exclusively in actions that will be taken at local, national implementación de estrategias de conservación de estratégias de conservação são apresentadas, freshwater ecosystems. Dolphin populations and international levels. The category of que integren metas de conservación con los integrando metas conservacionistas com in Asia are critically endangered, with the “vulnerable” is adopted for these species in intereses de las comunidades humanas, a nivel interesses das comunidades locais, que devem baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) considered functionally Colombia based on the available information local, nacional y regional. La categoría de ser em nível local, nacional e regional. A extinct (Guo 2006). Dolphin populations in the Red List of Mammals of Colombia. conservación “Vulnerable” para estas especies en categoria de conservação “Vulnerável” para estas South America, in contrast, are in relatively Colombia, se basa en la información disponible espécies na Colômbia se baseia na informação good condition, though it is of serious concern Key words: River dolphins, Inia geoffrensis, del Libro Rojo de Mamíferos de Colombia. disponível no contexto das recomendações do that threats are rapidly increasing. Sotalia fluviatilis, Colombia, Conservation, Livro Vermelho de Espécies Ameaçadas da Amazon River Basin, Orinoco River Basin. Palabras clave: Delfines de río, Inia, Sotalia, Colômbia. River dolphins in South America inhabit two Colombia, Conservación, Cuenca del of the largest river Basins in the world: The Amazonas, Cuenca del Orinoco. Palavras chave: Golfinhos de rio,Inia, Sotalia, Amazon and Orinoco. The Amazon River Resumen Colômbia, conservação, Bacia do rio Amazonas, Basin in Colombia covers an area of about bacia do rio Orinoco. 406,000 km2, which correspond to 5.52% Los delfines de río se encuentran entre Resumo of the entire Amazon River Basin (CABS/ los cetáceos más amenazados del mundo, CI 2000) and the Orinoco River Basin in desafortunadamente hoy en día hacen falta Os golfinhos de rio se encontram entre Introduction Colombia covers an area of 388.101 km2 which estudios para conocer un poco más acerca del os cetáceos mais ameaçados do mundo, correspond to 37,6% of the entire Orinoco estado de conservación de sus poblaciones y infelizmente hoje em dia carecem estudos Rivers in the world are of clean water, food, River Basin ( 1998). There are two species sus amenazas. Este artículo presenta el estado para conhecer um pouco mais sobre eles e transportation, energy and part of the culture of river dolphins in Colombia: The Amazon de conocimiento actual de los delfines de río suas ameaças. Este artigo apresenta o estado of many human communities, among river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), distributed in the Inia geoffrensis (delfín rosado) y de Sotalia atual dos golfinhos de rio Inia geoffrensis (boto others. However, it is of serious concern the colombian Amazon and Orinoco river Basins, fluviatilis (tucuxi) en Colombia, incluyendo rosado) e de Sotalia fluviatilis (boto cinza ou current status of many rivers worldwide, the and the Tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) distributed Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 30 ] [ 31 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

only in the colombian Amazon River Basin. all the information published and unpublished Inia, of the family , is the largest of the in Colombia about river dolphin populations, river dolphins, and Sotalia is the smallest of the 2) to identify the main anthropogenic threats dolphins in the family delphinidae. for aquatic systems and river dolphins in N Colombia, and finally 3) to prioritize research, Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis are listed educational activities and management actions as Vulnerable by the red list of mammals of fundamental for the conservation of aquatic Colombia (Rodríguez-Mahecha et al. 2006), systems and river dolphins in Colombia. This however they remain listed as information is part of an initiative to establish VENEZUELA (DD) by the IUCN red list of threatened species a network of Freshwater Protected Areas (Reeves et al. 2008). It is necessary to compile (FWPAs), researchers, governments and local all information available on their populations, communities SARDPAN (South American status of their habitat, and threats in order to river Dolphin Protected Area Network) establish their global conservation status and which fully considers the ecological integrity in this way, to develop effective conservation of freshwaters for the conservation of river actions (Reeves et al. 2000, 2003, Trujillo dolphins in the Amazon and Orinoco River 2000, Vidal 1993, Martin & da Silva 2004). Basins in South America.

Different threats for river dolphins in Colombia Distribution of river dolphins have appeared at different scales and it is of great in Colombia concern the increase of anthropogenic threats in the Amazon and Orinoco River Basins, The Amazon river dolphin Inia( ) and the Tucuxi such as overexploitation of aquatic resources, (Sotalia) are widely distributed in main rivers pollution of river Basins, construction of and most tributaries, and confluences water development projects and direct catches of the Amazon and Orinoco Basins in South of endangered species. Threats are and will America, limited by rapids, water falls and continue impacting considerably the aquatic small channels (Best & da Silva 1989b, da Silva ecosystems, diminishing the habitats and & Best 1994). In Colombia, Inia is distributed resources available for human communities in the Orinoco and Amazon River Basins and wildlife. Educational campaigns and social and Sotalia is restricted to the Amazon River workshops conducted every year have become Basin (da Silva & Best 1996, Trujillo 1997). ECUADOR an important tool in order to assess the impact These river Basins in Colombia form large and of anthropogenic threats and to promote complex fluvial networks of about 15,900 linear BRAZIL specific conservation actions. However, more km (Moreno et al. 1989). economical, personal and political resources are needed to implement these conservation Inia geoffrensis is broadly distributed in the actions that are intended to act in partnership Amazon and Orinoco Basins in Colombia, in an PERU with local communities, this will ensure the area of about 864,500 square kilometers. In the protection of the environment and guarantee Amazon region, Inia occurs in main rivers and the availability and quality of aquatic resources in most of their tributaries, such as the Caquetá in the years to come. River (from Araracuara rapids to the mouth of 0 125 250 500 the Apaporis River in the border with Brazil), Km The main objectives of this paper are 1) to compile the Putumayo River (from Puerto Leguizamo Chapter 1 Figure 3. Map of distribution of Inia geoffrensis in Colombia. Chapter 1 [ 32 ] [ 33 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

to the east) and in the Amazon River (Table 3). observed in the Colombian Orinoco River In the Orinoco, Inia is also found in most of the Basin. main rivers and their tributaries such as Arauca, Meta, Casanare, Bita, Tuparro, Tomo, Orinoco, Local changes in the distribution of river Vichada, Guaviare, and Inírida (Figure 3). The dolphins in Colombia have been detected, N distribution of Inia was suggested to be limited despite the fact that no major development by some rapids (Best & da Silva 1989a), but projects have occurred, compared to Brazil or some observation in Colombia showed that Venezuela. However, some areas in Colombia Inia is able to cross some rapids during the low might be subject to future macro-projects of high water season, when the current is less powerful. ecological disturbance. For instance, the River VENEZUELA This was observed in areas such as the Córdoba Meta has been planned to be transformed into rapids, in the Caquetá River, and Atures and a hydroway and this will alter flooded pulses, La Concordia rapids in the Orinoco River and therefore and other ecological (Galindo 1997, Diazgranados 1998). processes. In addition, the intense fisheries and the exploitation of timber have increased closer Sotalia fluviatilis is distributed in several to the Andean region as a consequence of a rivers and tributaries in the Colombian growing human population. Equally, of serious Amazon (Figure 4) such as the Putumayo, concern are the low densities of dolphins in the Caquetá (downstream from the Córdoba river Meta and the absence of dolphins close to rapids), Amazon, and Apaporis rivers. During the city of Puerto Lopez (where the the high water season, Sotalia dolphins disperse is closer to the Andean region) (Gómez-Salazar upstream in several tributaries and lakes, and et al. 2009) were Inia dolphins were previously during low water season the species remains recorded. Inia dolphin populations appear to in deep waters in the main channels and lakes be moving down the river, probably looking for (Trujillo 1990, 1997). Distribution of this areas less exploited and with more availability species appears to be limited by headwater of resources (Trujillo et al. 2008). rapids and productivity. Sotalia have not been

Table 3. Main rivers and tributaries where Inia geoffrensis is distributed in Colombia. ECUADOR

Main River Tributaries Source BRAZIL Amazon River Basin

Yarí, Quinche, El Sol, Cahuinarí, El PERU Trujillo 1995, Galindo 1997, Trujillo Caquetá Bernardo, Mirití-Paraná, Córdoba, et al. 2006 Apaporis

Putumayo Cará-Paraná, Igará-Paraná, Yuria Trujillo 1997, Trujillo et al. 2006 01 25 2505 00 Km Amaca-Yacu, Loreto-Yacu, Mata-mata, Trujillo 1990, 1992,1997, Vidal et al. Amazon Chapter 1 Figure 4. Map of distribution of Sotalia fluviatilis in Colombia. Atacuari 1997 Chapter 1 [ 34 ] [ 35 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

at least of their genes, was limited to the same on that methodology, here we presented results Main River Tributaries Source lagoons where the animals were born or to of surveys conducted in Colombia in order to adjacent lagoons (Ruiz-García et al. 2007). This obtain density estimates of Inia and Sotalia in Orinoco River Basin study that was conducted in the bolivian Amazon selected rivers of the Amazons and Orinoco showed a significant relationship between the River Basin (Table 4) (Gómez-Salazar et al. Arauca Caño Limón, Caño Jesús Trujillo et al. 1992, Fuentes 1998 genetic distances and the geographic distances 2009). among Amazon river dolphins sampled in ten Manacacías, Yucao, Cusiana, Cravo Sur, Diazgranados 1998, Trujillo et al. Meta lagoons at the Mamore-Itenez River; a Mantel In Colombia, during August 2006, a survey Pauto 2006, Pardo 2007 test yielded a significant isolation-by-distance was conducted in the Meta River from the pattern (r = 0.89; p = 0.001) which means that city of Puerto Carreño (Vichada) to the city Casanare Cravo Norte the geographical distances explained 80.29% of Puerto López (Meta), covering 790 lineal of the genetic differences among the animals kilometres in 7 days (Pardo 2007). A total of Guaviare Inírida, Ariari, Guayabero, Duda Meade & Koehnken 1991 of different lagoons (Ruiz-García et al. 2007). 121 Inia dolphins were counted. During 2007 Meade & Koehnken 1991, a survey was conducted in the Amazon River Orinoco Bita, Vichada, Tuparro, Tomo Diazgranados 1997, Trujillo et al. Density estimates in Colombia and in the Yavarí River (Brazil/ 2008 Estimates have been obtained in several regions Peru), covering a total of 293 lineal kilometres extrapolating from a few sightings of Inia and in 7 days. 513 dolphins were counted: 197 Inia Sotalia obtained from small areas during short and 316 Sotalia. Results are part of a regional surveys (Layne 1958, Kasuya & Kajihara 1974, initiative based on standardized methodologies Research on river (Leatherwood 1996, Da Silva pers. Comm., Pilleri & Gihr 1977, Magnusson et al. 1980, to estimate the abundance of river dolphins dolphins in Colombia McGuire & Henningsen 2007). In other Meade & Koehnken, 1991, Da Silva & Best in selected rivers of the Amazon and Orinoco cases, Inia dolphins have been observed in the 1994, Trujillo 1994, Herman et al. 1996). Basins in South America. et al Residency patterns same areas for more than 7 years, suggesting Vidal . (1994) developed the first rigorous survey methodology for South American river Sightings, group sizes and population The photo-identification of individual - very specific residency patterns (Trujillo dolphins using a standardized protocol of estimates of river dolphins in Colombia specific marks is an important technique in the 1994, Trujillo 1997). It is necessary to work strip and line transects in the Amazon River, Most of the research in Colombia was study of several areas of the biology of aquatic in synchrony with researchers from other bordering Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. Based conducted during the last 20 years, and it has mammals (Wursing & Jefferson, 1990). For countries in order to understand more about river dolphins, dark waters, inconspicuous residency patterns of river dolphins, and to behavior and irregular breathing activity makes track possible long movements. this technique difficult to utlise. In spite of that, Table 4. Densities and standard error for Inia and Sotalia within region and habitat type using 200m strip-width transects. Data were not obtained in the field (blank spaces) for some categories. The Amazon comprises the river photo-ID of Inia has been useful (Trujillo 1994, Coastal Sotalia has been photo-identified Amazon in Colombia and the Orinoco comprises the river Meta (Gómez-Salazar et al. 2009). Aliaga-Rossel 2002, McGuire & Winemiller using notches in dorsal fins (Flores et al. 1999). 1998). It seems to have good potential as a However, those marks are very inconspicuous non-invasive and inexpensive tool to answer a and because of the shy behavior of riverine Habitat Type Channel Island Main River Tributary wide range of questions related to movements, Sotalia, no photo-identification research has social structure and population estimation. The been focused on it. However, the use of digital Species/ Region D SE D SE D SE D SE principal marks used to distinguish cetaceans cameras with long lenses may improve the are scars, wounds and notches; Trujillo (1994) quality and efficiency of photo-identification Amazons 1.9 0.4 2.1 0.9 2.8 0.7 2.9 0.8 identified coloration patterns as a diagnostic for both species. Inia characteristic for identifying Inia geoffrensis. Orinoco 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 The use of molecular techniques also Extended movements have been reported demonstrated residency patterns of Inia Sotalia Amazons 3.6 0.9 2.4 1.0 4.3 1.6 1.4 0.7

Chapter 1 using information from identified dolphins dolphins, where the mobility of the animals, or Chapter 1 [ 36 ] [ 37 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

been focused mostly in the Amazon, Orinoco, the low and low to high water periods. The Table 5. Summary of results on surveys to count Amazons river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) in the Amazons Caquetá and Arauca rivers (Table 5 and 6). habitat type lake was used more during the and Orinoco basins in Colombia. Data was not obtained (-) in some cases. high water periods and the habitat type river Some information has been published related to and main channels during low water periods. the ecology, abundance and behavior of these Average group sizes were 3.2 dolphins and animals (Layne 1958, Best & da Silva 1989a,b, sizes also changed according with the season Smith 1994, Trujillo 1994, Leatherwood 1996, (Trujillo 2000). During the high water period, Date

Trujillo 1997, Vidal et al. 1997). Long term a Sotalia dolphin inhabits the main river and Source Location No. surveysNo. Inia per day No. sightingsNo. studies of both species of freshwater dolphins in channels, in contrary to Inia which is mainly Max. number Number days of Colombia started in 1989, and focused on the distributed in the flooded forest. Group sizes of Area (linear km) distribution, abundance, behavior, group sizes Sotalia vary from single animals in small black Amazon River Basin and population ecology (Trujillo 1990, 1992, water tributaries to groups over 30, especially in 1994, 1997, Trujillo & Beltrán 1996, Pardo lake systems. Vidal et al. (1997), estimated the Feb-Mar-1956 - - 15 - 14 Layne 1958 2007). population of this species at 409 (CV=0.13) for Sotalia in the Colombian Amazon River, and a Jul-87 116 12 26 63 12 Trujillo 1990 In 1993, Vidal et al. (1997) studied the density of 8.6 dolphins/Km2 for lakes. distribution and abundance of both Inia and Oct-88 40 10 17 57 10 Trujillo 1990 Sotalia in the Amazon. During the same year During April 2002, the density of river Trujillo & Beltrán, Hurtado (1996) and Ojeda (1997) published dolphins in a stretch of the Amazon river in Dec/93-Jan/95 65 212 120 1420 78 River Amazon 1996 studies describing the relationship between Colombia was obtained, using the distance dolphins and environmental variables. sampling methodology (Trujillo et al. 2002, May- Jun-1993 120 - 20 172 - Vidal et al. 1997 Comparative observations of Inia geoffrensis 2006a). Density estimates for Inia and group were made since 1992 in the Arauca River, a sizes were higher in lakes, which are ecosystems Mar/96-Jan/97 74 239 182 963 30 Trujillo 1997 tributary of the Orinoco (Trujillo, unpublished highly productive and with high availability 2 observations), and since 1996 in the Orinoco, of resources all year round (15.8 dolphins/km Trujillo et al. Mar/97-Aug/98 74 256 220 1034 51 Meta and Bita rivers (Diazgranados 1997, in the habitat type lake, 3.28 dolphins/km2 in (unpublished) Trujillo 1997, Fuentes 1998, Trujillo et al. the habitat type channel, 0.71 dolphins/km2 in Lake Tarapoto the habitat type tributary, and 0.15 dolphins/ Dec/90-Jan/92 40 1329 116 2136 27 Trujillo 1997 2006). Additionally, Galindo (1997) conducted and El Correo surveys to estimate the abundance of both Inia km2 in the habitat type main river). Densities geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis in a stretch of of Sotalia dolphins were in general higher River Amazon Gómez-Salazar Feb-07 293 5 5 114 60 the Caquetá River between the Cordoba rapids than Inia, and were also the highest in lakes and Javari 2009 and the Apaporis River. (26.68dolphins/km2 in the habitat type lake, 4.12 ind/km2 in the channel, 3.48 ind/km2 in Apr-Jul-1994 1200 248 120 346 45 Trujillo 1995 All information that has been collected in the tributaries and 3.02 ind/km2 in the main River Caqueta Colombia has been syntethesized in Table 5 river) (Gómez-Salazar et al. 2009). May/96-Feb/97 150 229 163 724 22 Galindo 1997 for Inia geoffrensis and the maximum number of Sotalia dolphins per day and group sizes in During 2003, photo-identification of Inia Orinoco River Basin different surveyes is presented in Table 6. dolphins was conducted in the peruvian Lake Diazgranados Jul/96-Mar/98 150 626 172 833 68 Caballo Cocha in order to estimate density 1997 2 Rivers Orinoco, In the Amazon River the sightings of Inia (2.04 ind/Km ) and the population size (29 Meta, Bita Diazgranados dolphins changed according with the season individuals +/-18.18) using the mark-recapture Aug/97-Jul/98 150 361 236 654 42 1998 and the habitat type, being the highest during tecnique (Gómez-Salazar 2004). Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 38 ] [ 39 ] [ 40] Chapter 1 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The La Hermosa La and Manacacía Rivers River Inírida Inírida River River Putumayo River Arauca Arauca River ie eaAot 20 9 14 Pardo 2007 45 31 7 7 790 Cusiana Yucao and /2006 Agosto Meta, River Meta River ie uvae May-98 Guaviare River Guayabero River ie oo Jul-98 TomoRiver ie eaNov-97 Meta River

Location ueJl 04-1 383 23 - 16 - 2004 June/July Jul-97 Sep-97 a/7Ar9 2 2 1 5 0Fuentes 1998 70 554 117 221 120 Jan/97-Apr/98 1992-1995 Nov-06 May-98 Jun-97

Date 6 736 17 7 6 460 3 16 7 5 4 130 3 8 7 4 3 130 8 418 14 6 4 485 2 9 4 3 2 125 0197 8 53 386 76 119 60 2006 Trujillo al. et 27 20 4 5 30 0331 30 10 3 3 50 123310 3 3 2 11 Area (linear km) Orinoco River Basin River Orinoco Short surveys Short

No. surveys

Number of days

No. sightings

Max. number Inia per day (unpublished) Trujillo 1995 Trujillo &Beltran Barbosa 2005 Barbosa & Holguín (unpublished) Trujillo 1998 Diazgranados 1998 Diazgranados (unpublished) Trujillo 1998 Diazgranados 1998 Diazgranados

Source o h Csaa ie (rbtr o te Meta the of (Tributary River Cusiana the to (Meta) Gaitán Puerto from River Meta the in 2006, November During 2004. June during 83 the River in Meta Casanare) La of to (Department River) Hermosa Meta the of tributary the Meta and of (Department River Manacacias the of confluence the From individuals. 4-7 of of composed were groups most and 65 by was day reported dolphins of number maximum Rivers, Bita and Meta Orinoco, the in the in conducted surveys For alone. and pairs seen in were dolphins of majority the and area the in River, conducted surveys During Summary of results on surveys to of Tablecount on results ( Tucuxi dolphins surveys 6. Summary River basins in Colombia. Data was not obtained (-) somecases. not in obtained was Data Colombia. in basins River River Amazon River Caquetá River Caquetá River Yavarí River/ Amazon lakes Correo Tarapoto El and uuaoRvr19 5321 Trujillo (unpublished) 16 3.2 45 1997 River Putumayo Location 60 60 dolphins were estimated in the the in estimated were dolphins Inia opis ee sighted were dolphins Inia 9619 6438 Trujillo 1997, 1999 Ramos 82 4.3 76 1996-1997 1996-1997 60 3.8 39 Galindo 1998 Galindo 39 3.8 60 1996-1997 1994-1995 60 4.3 75 Trujillo & Beltrán 1996 Trujillo &Beltrán 75 4.3 60 1994-1995 9119 3363 Trujillo 1992 32 3.6 13 1991-1992 2009 al. et Gómez-Salazar 93 3.1 293 2007 Date 901 .33 Trujillo 1990 35 3.73 13 1990 946 . 2Trujillo 1995 52 4.2 60 1994 981 . 0Trujillo 1990 10 2.8 13 1988 1997 al. et Vidal - 3.9 116 1993 Area linear linear Area (km) Caquetá Caquetá Amazon River Basin River Amazon the the The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The group size group Average Average main river, 0.13 dolphins/km 0.13river, main ih dniy f .6 dolphins/km 0.06 of density a with area, the in sighted were individuals 27 River) Surveys conducted in the Meta and Putumayo and Meta the conducted in Surveys 4-7 dolphins were most the common. in the Orinoco, Meta and Bita rivers, groups of observation the to Similarly day. 70 per observed of maximum of a sightings and dolphins, 544 presented 1998 and 1997 In the Arauca River, surveys conducted between 2006). dolphins/km 0.15 dolphins/km Sotalia Sotalia fluviatilis per per Sotalia number number Max. Max. day 2 in the tributaries (Trujillo tributaries the in 2 n h canl, n 0.28 and channels, the in ) in the Amazons and Orinoco and Orinoco ) in the Amazons Source 2 in the Islands, Islands, the in were Inia 2 in the the in et al. al. et [ 41] Chapter 1 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

rivers have the highest values of sightings of and nine habitat types in the Colombian dolphins per day. The case of the Inirida River, Amazon. 2,987 groups were registered of a black river type, is different. The Inirida is dolphins during all these years, with a group influenced by the Guaviare River (white type) size between 1 and 26 individuals. More than and has the presence of several other lakes. the half of sightings (n=1,545), took place in the main river (Amazon River), and the habitat with the fewest sightings was channels (Herrando et Habitat use al. 2005). The hydroclimatic seasons and types of habitat affect directly the group sizes of Inia Based on a scheme of a hypothetical section of and Sotalia in the Colombian Amazon. Both a River Basin, density estimates for Inia and factors interact, revealing spatial and temporary Sotalia for each location and habitat surveyed adjustments in the size of the groups (Herrando in Colombia were plotted (Figure 4) (Gómez- et al. 2005, Trujillo 2000). Salazar et al. 2009). Density in the center of main river was obtained through off-shore line Most Inia dolphins were sighted in the main transects and densities in the other habitat river (58.1%) during the low water period, types were obtained through 200m strip-width followed by islands and in lakes such as El transect surveys, and values are presented for Correo and Caballo Cocha (22.7%). By the N each 50m width strip. Results show that river end of October, when the water level started to dolphins prefer areas closer to the shore, as also rise, individuals and groups of dolphins were observed in other studies. Thus, river dolphins also present in Tarapoto Lake and connecting occur at higher densities near river margins than channels. During this period aggregations of in the center of the river, especially those that dolphins were seen regularly (14.6%) at the have low currents with high prey abundance, confluences of the Loreto Yacu-Amazons and and in confluences and lakes because of high Atacuari-Amazons rivers. As the water level productivity and fish migrations (Martin & increased, during the low to high water period, Da Silva 2004; Martin et al. 2004, Trujillo lakes became the most important habitat for 2000, Vidal et al. 1997, Aliaga-Rossel 2002, dolphins, and rivers were even less frequented Leatherwood 1996). than streams. At that time, rivers appeared to be used by dolphins as a route for moving into Habitat preferences also vary according to the their preferred habitats. The presence of Inia in water seasons. In the same year, variation of 11- lakes was sometimes associated with an increase 15m may occur in the vertical level of the Amazon in the number of fishermen and fish activity River Basin, and hundreds of kilometers in the suggesting that prey availability was one of the horizontal plane. These changes affect dissolved key factors in explaining their presence in these oxygen, fish migrations, habitat availability and particular areas (Trujillo 2000). productivity and consequently, distribution of river dolphins (Martin & Da Silva 2004, During the high water period, most sightings N Trujillo 2000). were conducted in lakes (57%), and groups of juveniles and calves were reported regularly in Data collected from 1996 to 2005 was used Tarapoto and El Correo lakes. At the end of to evaluate group sizes and group composition this period, in August, dolphins were again Figure 5. Density of river dolphins presented for each 50m width strip. Data were not obtained on the field or (adults and calves) during hydroclimatic seasons present in the main river (25.6%), especially estimated for some habitat types (light fonts) (Gómez-Salazar et al. 2009). Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 42 ] [ 43 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

around islands. As the level of the water little variation in the areas they used (Figure 4). Inia geoffrensis at the Amazon and Orinoco River and the Colombian Orinoco samples were receded during the high to low water period, Confluences were still important, mainly for Basins. The second species was subdivided in highly differentiated from the Bolivian sample dolphins were more often seen in the main river the transit of dolphins from the Orinoco River two subspecies: Inia geoffrensis humboldtiana at for both mitochondrial genes studied (net than in other habitats. Lakes were still used by to the Meta and Bita rivers. Compared with the the Orinoco River Basin (Pilleri & Gihr 1977) genetic divergence of 6.53% and 5.32%, and

dolphins, but movements from Tarapoto to El Amazon, dolphins occurred more frequently and Inia geoffrensis geoffrensis at the Amazon FST_= 0.969 and FST_= 0.917, respectively, for Correo Lake were noted as a response to the in the same areas in the Orinoco, with some River Basin (Van Bree & Robineau 1973). control region and 2.48% and 2.98%, and

decreasing water level. In contrast, observations variations when the rivers Meta and Bita were Nevertheless, Casinos & Ocaña (1979) refuted FST_= 0.91 and FST_= 0.81, respectively, for in Caballo Cocha Lake were almost the same accessible (Trujillo & Diazgranados 2004). the existence of two Inia species and recognized cytochrome-b). Nevertheless, the differences during all the hydroclimatic periods, with little three subspecies: Inia geoffrensis boliviensis, I.g. between the Colombian Amazon and Orinoco variation in the number of dolphins. humboldtiana and I.g. geoffrensis, because the were significant but considerably weaker Taxonomic status and Genetics differences found among these three taxa were (net genetic divergence of 2.50% at control The presence of certain individuals during all of clinal nature. However, conversely, Pilleri & region and 0.06% at cytochrome-b gene). sampling periods in Caballo Cocha Lake (Peru) A considerable amount of molecular Gihr (1981), Grabert (1984) and da Silva (1994) 2- For the Orinoco and the Amazon Inia, and Tarapoto Lake (Colombia), suggests the phylogeography and population genetics again recognized two species (I. boliviensis and the haplotypes found showed a paraphyletic possibility of residency patterns of individuals results have been obtained, especially for I. geoffrensis) based on coloration, length-mass phylogenetic relationship. Therefore, this was forming permanent groups (Trujillo 2000, Inia geoffrensis in the Amazon River Basin ratio, cranial characters including number of the first evidence of the inexistence of two fully Gómez-Salazar 2004). High productivity of (including Colombia, Peru Ecuador and Brazil) teeth, brain size, cephalic index and shape of supported Inia subspecies at the Colombian lakes and high availability of resources allows using different molecular markers, including the sternum. Therefore, molecular population Amazon and Orinoco Basins, contrary to them to act as nursery areas, demonstrated the mitochondrial Control Region and the genetics analyses were undertaken to resolve what was previously believed. 3- The Bolivian by the high densities of calves in this habitat cytochrome b genes (Banguera-Hinestroza et this taxonomic problem in the last few years. population showed evidence to be, at least, throughout the whole year. In the lakes, group al. 2002), MHC genes (Martinez-Aguero et For this, the molecular population genetics a different Evolutionary Significant Unit sizes increase during the dry season, fish al. 2006), ten autosomic and Y chromosome and evolutionary biology laboratory from the (ESUs) (Moritz, 1994). As a consequence, are concentrated, and it is easier for them to introns (Ruiz-García et al. 2008a), other Faculty of Sciences of the Pontificia Universidad this pioneer work identified one ESU for the acquire these resources. Therefore, they use mitochondrial markers (Ruiz-García et al. Javeriana at Bogotá, D.C. (Colombia) carried Bolivian Amazon River Basin and another more time in social and reproductive behavior. 2008b), ten DNA microsatellites (Ruiz-García out an extensive molecular genetic analysis ESU distributed across the Orinoco River and Lakes are key habitats to take into account for et al. 2008c,d) and RAPD (Romero & Ruiz- of Inia. Five expeditions were undertaken the Amazon River Basins. This is extremely conservation strategies. García, 2008, Ruiz-García & Romero, 2008) (2002-2005) to obtain samples of Amazon important for conservation purposes. Similarly, as well as for morphometrics (Ruiz-García et al. river dolphins in the rivers of Colombia, Peru, other molecular work (Martinez-Aguero et In the Orinoco region, surveys were conducted 2006, 2008e) and craniometrics (Castellanos- Ecuador, Brazil and Bolivia. More than 10,000 al. 2006) showed a different distribution from 1996 to 2004. In contrast to the Amazon, Mora et al. 2008, Ruiz-García et al. 2008f), km were covered for these Amazon rivers and of the haplotypes for a MHC (Major the highest numbers of dolphins were registered but also initial information on the population about 230 dolphins were sampled. Histocompatibility Complex) gene (DQB1) at confluences during the low water and low to structure of Sotalia fluviatilis has been described among pink river dolphins from Bolivia and high water periods. Regular observations of from analyses of Control Region sequences and For the first time, Banguera-Hinestroza et al. other points of the Amazon and the Orinoco groups of Inia were made at the confluence of MHC genes (Caballero et al. 2009a, Caballero (2002) obtained molecular data for 96 pink Basins. Several morphometric and craniometric the Meta and Orinoco rivers. This confluence et al. 2009b, Caballero et al. 2009c). river dolphins, 400 base pairs (bp) from the studies have agreed quite well with these first appears to have a high concentration of fish mitochondrial control region and 600 bp from molecular studies. Ruiz-García et al. (2006) and dolphins are usually seen feeding. The Inia geoffrensis.For decades, the of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene, and showed, by using a canonical population main river was the second type of habitat in Inia has been confusing. Hershkovitz (1966) these results showed important insights about analysis with 12 biometric variables, males from importance during these two periods, with claimed that Inia was a monotypic species. Some the taxonomic status of this river dolphin the Colombian Amazon and the Colombian groups of dolphins located especially at two years later, Pilleri and Ghir (1977) proposed the for populations of the Colombian Orinoco, Orinoco were insignificantly differentiated, major bends in the river (Figure 5). At high division of the genus into two different species: Colombian Amazon and Bolivian Amazon. but the Bolivian males differed significantly water and high to low water periods, dolphins Inia boliviensis (d´Orbigny 1834), distributed at The main results obtained in that work were: from the males of the other two areas. Females were more often seen in the main river; with the Mamoré and Itenez Basins in Bolivia, and 1- The Colombian Amazon (Putumayo River) showed a more flexible morphology and no Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 44 ] [ 45 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

clear evidence of significant differences were and Y chromosome introns. The split among the were later reclassified within the Sotalia genus provided by ecological adaptations to the two found among the three geographic areas Bolivian form and the remaining forms were by Flower in 1883. However, it was Gray, in different habitats – marine and riverine. There studied. An additional craniometric study less than one million years ago (Ruiz-García et 1866, who defined the genus Sotalia for the is a physical isolation of both species with a (Castellanos-Mora et al. 2008, Ruiz-García al. 2008a). Similar results were obtained when first time based on a cranium from French little overlap in the mouth of the Amazon River et al. 2008f) determined no differences for several DNA microsatellites were analyzed in Guyana and the specimen was named as Sotalia and Amazon estuary. Hybridization could not a global set of 50 cranium variables for 28 these different Inia populations (Ruiz-García guianensis (Hershkovitz 1966). Additionally, be excluded, but to date, there is no conclusive Colombian Amazon skulls and 16 Colombian et al. 2008c) when different mutation rates van Bénéden, in 1875, defined the dolphins evidence. Orinoco skulls; however, one Bolivian cranium were estimated for these molecular markers restricted to Guanabara Bay in the Rio de Janeiro drastically diverged from these other Inia (about 50,000-500,000 years ago for the split state as Sotalia brasiliensis. Hershkovitz (1966) Sotalia fluviatilis it is now a unique riverine skulls, supporting the results obtained from among the Bolivian and the Amazon forms). determined that Sotalia fluviatilis was synonym species presented in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia a molecular perspective. Nonetheless, two A recent study of the historical demography of Sotalia pallida and Sotalia tucuxi. Recently, and Brazil. evolutionary aspects were unsolved until of Inia in different Colombian, Peruvian and however, diverse studies have been developed recently. What are the origins of Inia? It was Bolivian rivers puts in evidence some traces of showing a clear perspective of the Sotalia High genetic diversity was determined when suggested that the Orinoco River Basin was recent historical expansions for microsatellites taxonomic status. Monteiro-Filho et al. (2002) analyzing an initial set of 26 samples from the original place from where Inia disperses to as well as for mitochondrial DNA. Therefore, analyzed 22 homologous cranial landmarks Colombia, Brazil and Peru for a portion other river Basins because of the highest gene the taxonomic status of Inia is now easy to and showed shape differences among riverine of the mitochondrial control region. Some diversity levels found at the Orinoco ((Banguera- understand. It was not a or Pliocene and marine populations of Sotalia to be highly differentiated haplotypes were detected in Hinestroza et al. 2002). This was corroborated event that generated the current Inia forms. significant (P < 0.00001). They suggested that Peruvian and Brazilian samples, from locations Sotalia using polymorphic RAPD (Romero & Ruiz- All the processes that generated these forms they constituted two different species: in the extremes of the species distribution. García 2008). Additionally, we suspected that occurred during the Pleistocene. The ancestral fluviatilis, for the riverine ecotype and Sotalia Female mediated gene flow seems to be the temporal split between the Bolivian and the form is what we found in the western and guianensis for the marine ecotype. Several years relatively high along the main river system, so other Amazon form was carried out about 5-6 central Amazon. From this form, about later, Cunha et al. (2005) reached the same maintaining connectivity would be the key to million years ago. However, recent molecular 50,000-500,000 years ago, was derived the conclusion. By studying mitochondrial DNA conserve healthy populations (Caballero et al. work contradicted these suspicions. Ruiz- Bolivian form, which is completely isolated control region and cytochrome b sequences 2009a, Caballero et al. 2009b). An initial study García et al. (2008b) showed, via a median from a reproductive point of view and must be and applying a nested-clade phylogenetic and a of two MHC loci (DQA and DQB) described joining network using mitochondrial control considered at least as a different ESU, although molecular variance analyses, they showed that region haplotypes of almost 200 individuals its separation is more recent than that previously marine and riverine ecotypes formed divergent two alleles found in Amazonian populations. from Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, believed. On the other hand, the Orinoco monophyletic groups. Recently, Caballero et These are shared with coastal populations. This Brazil and Bolivia, that an ancestral and very lineages were generated twice from an ancestral al. (2007) conducted a study to re-valuate the was expected due to the mode of evolution of common haplotype is found throughout most Amazon lineage very recently (14,000-30,000 taxonomic status of the genus Sotalia. Results these genes (Caballero et al. 2009c). of the western and central Amazon and from years ago) in an independent manner. Thus, of this study confirmed the differentiation this all the other haplotypes were originated. each form constitutes a unique taxa and no between the “costero” (now named Guiana Clearly, from the Amazon haplotypes were subspecific denominations are required. dolphin (IWC)) Sotalia guiannesis (recently Anthropogenic threats for originated in two different points in time. known as Sotalia fluviatilis guianensis) and river dolphins in Colombia The time split with regards to the Amazon Sotalia fluviatilis. Since this species was the “tucuxi” or riverine Sotalia fluviatilis haplotypes is very recent. Applying a molecular documented by Alexander von Humboldt, (recently known as Sotalia fluviatilis fluviatilis). Incidental mortality clock to this haplotype network with the its taxonomy has been controversial. Since Additional mitochondrial and novel nuclear Incidental catches were an important threat rho statistic (Saillard et al. 2000), the time 1800, this species has received more than five genetic evidence supported both subspecies as for Inia in the Colombian Amazon (Beltrán split among the Bolivian haplotypes and the taxonomic denominations; Gervais named the full species based on the criteria of the GCC & Trujillo, 1992, Kendall et al. 1998). New Amazon ones was substantially lower than species, in 1853, Delphinus fluviatilis. The same (Genealogical/Lineage Concordance Species fishing techniques have been introduced in that assumed in the first molecular works (less author, in 1855, named it Delphinus pallidus, Concept), and proposed a divergence time of the Amazon River Basin during the last few than 500,000 years ago). Similar results were and, in 1856, Gray described three individuals 1.0 – 1.2 mya for these species. Divergence years, especially the use of nylon monofilament obtained from the analyses of ten autosomic originally named Steno tucuxi, those individuals is considered as irreversible, from evidence gill nets (da Silva and Best, 1996), that in the Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 46 ] [ 47 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

context of a growing human population mean fisheries Brachyplatystoma ( filamentosum, B. interactions with fisheries. In the Amazon, Colombia, replacing the capaz fish (Pimelodus more negative interactions between dolphins flavicans, and Pseudoplatystoma sp.). However, ten Tucuxi were found dead mainly due to grosskopfii) that inhabited the Magdalena river and fisheries. other elements have been identified as being entanglement in monofilament nets (Trujillo in Colombia but it was depleted. To catch responsible for a decrease in the capture rate of & Beltrán 1992, Trujillo 1997, Galindo 1997). the mota fish, river dolphins and caimans are In 80 linear km surveyed in the Amazon River, fish: overexploitation due to more people using This kind of net is becoming more common in being captured in the Brazilian Amazon to be 30 dolphins were found dead (22 Inia and 8 long drift nets, and damage to the fish produced the Amazon, despite the fact that it is forbidden used as bait to attract and fish the scavenger Sotalia) over a period of 10 years (1990-2000). by the fish known as “carnero or candiru” in lakes and small tributaries. fish (Trujillo et al. 2005, Trujillo et al. 2006, The causes of death forInia were entanglement (Vandellia cirrhosa) (Bonilla et al. 2008). Gómez-Salazar et al. 2008) and captures of (19), impact with a boat (1), harpoon (1), and Direct hunting of river dolphins dolphins are increasing resulting in serious not determined (1). In 1993, the community of During September 1996 and February 2000, Cultural beliefs around river dolphins are threats (Da Silva & Martin 2007). Puerto Nariño agreed to forbid the use of nets 14 dolphins were found dead in the Orinoco predominant in the Amazon and Orinoco in lakes and small tributaries with the aim of study area. The causes of mortality were Basins and it protected them from direct This activity takes place in the Brazilian conserving both dolphins and fisheries. Since shooting (5), entanglement (5), harpooning exploitation for a long time. However, back in Amazon where different links make part of the then, surveys have regularly been made along (1), and not determined (3). In addition, ten the 1980s, organs of Inia were sold at the black base for distribution and commercialization of the study area and local communities have other dead dolphins were reported by the markets as aphrodisiacs or to cure diseases the fish: starting with the dolphin hunters, the been encouraged to provide information about Navy and local fishermen. Shooting of river (Trujillo 1992, Da Silva & Best 1989). The Mota fishermen, the different gathering centers dead dolphins. Mortality of dolphins has been dolphins was also reported by Lamb (1954) proportion of dolphins that were used for that along the Amazon River, and it finishes with reduced to one or two deaths each year in the and Leatherwood (1996). There is great purpose was not calculated and there are no the ship carriers that transport the Mota fish Colombian area (Kendall et al. 1995, Trujillo concern regarding deaths due to shooting, reports of the continuity of that market. to Leticia and later to the principal cities of 1997). because Giant Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) Colombia. Consumers of the Mota fish in the and Spectacled Caimans (Caiman crocodylus) In Colombia, dolphins were killed in order principal cities of Colombia are not aware that Castellanos (2007) evaluated the impact of have also been found dead for the same cause. to sell their body parts (including eyes, teeth, they are eating a scavenger species that comes fishing nets in the populations ofInia , using the Three of the four individuals found shot had genital organs and oil), which were used as from the Amazon River Basin (instead of the parameters of age and craniometrical relations. nylon net marks on their snouts, flippers and aphrodisiacs and amulets in Leticia (Amazonas) Magdalena river) and they do not know that Juveniles and calves were the individuals more the tail, suggesting that some fishermen shoot and Puerto Carreño (Vichada) (Trujillo 1990, river dolphins and caimans are being killed in affected and most of the nets were placed in dolphins which get caught in their nets, as Diazgranados 1997). The oil was used to order to fish it (Gómez-Salazar et al. 2008). lakes and small tributaries, where in theory other fishermen reported. As in the Amazon, treat respiratory diseases. There are reports Actually the fishermen and traders of the they are forbidden. It was recommended to negative interaction with fisheries appears to be of sporadic consumption of dolphin meat by Mota fish confirm that almost 80% of their work with fishermen communities in different the main threat to dolphin populations in this fisherman in some areas of the Orinoco such production is Mota fish. areas of the Amazon and Orinoco Basins, to area. as Puerto Carreño and Amanaven. In the develop agreements and stop the use of nets in Orinoco, there are also records of the use of This kind of fishery is drastically reducing lakes, confluences and small tributaries. Other threats include direct hunting of dolphin oil, and bottles of oil that can be found the populations of river dolphins in the dolphins. During the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, in markets in Puerto Carreño (Colombia) Amazon region of Brazil. Approximately 600 During the last fourteen years, fishermen several Amazon dolphins were captured alive and Puerto Ayacucho (Venezuela)(Trujillo & hundred river dolphins are being killed per perspectives about river dolphins in the in Colombia. They were initially taken for Diazgranados 2002). year to be used as bait for this fishery, which Amazon have been changing. They consider zoological collections in the United States and is widespread in Brazil (Loch et al. 2009). It is dolphins as competitors for resources, when Europe, and later in the ‘70s by illegal poachers Overexploitation of the resources has also of serious concern that this activity may also they remove or injure fish that are in the nets. (Layne 1958, Caldwell et al. 1989, Gewalt generated a new phenomenon that is appreciable occur in other countries. If the killing of river As a response, fishermen may shoot, poison, or 1989). in different aquatic environments changing the dolphins spreads from Brazil to other countries, hit dolphins to discourage their loitering next target species for smaller ones down in the food population sizes will likely decline within a few to the nets. There is an increase in demand for Tucuxi are extremely vulnerable to web (Myers &Worm, 2003). During the last 8 years. fish in the region, in turn encouraging people monofilament nets (Da Silva & Best 1994) years, the Mota fish Calophysus ( macropterus) to increase the effort put into large catfish and they are particularly vulnerable to negative have appeared in the national market of Initiatives to stop this killing and to implement Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 48 ] [ 49 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

alternatives of bait have being presented to Rice farming has been developing over the of the Meta with the Orinoco River. This will et al. 2005). Samples of tissue where taken in fishermen and traders since 2005, but no last 10 years, and also constitutes a threat to cause the fragmentation of populations and Colombia in Puerto Lopez (Meta River), San results have been seen yet. Foundation Omacha natural ecosystems. Colombian and Peruvian degradations of the environment. Jose del Guaviare (Guaviare River), Puerto in partneship with the Fisheries Institutions people remove floating grass Paspallum ( sp.) Carreño (Orinoco River) and Puerto Inírida in Colombia and Brazil are designing new from around islands in the Amazon River to Pollution (Inirida, Guaviare and Orinoco Rivers). The strategies and campaigns to deal with this issue. gain access to crops, but this takes away the Levels of pollution related to human activities Venezuelan samples were obtained from the natural protection against erosion and inhibits vary throughout the Amazon and Orinoco in confluence of the Ventuari and Orinoco River, Habitat degradation normal succession processes on such islands. Colombia. The Arauca and Casanare rivers the Orinoco River and in the Apure River. Fish About 40% of the 400,000Km2 of the It also leads to the loss of the high are occasionally affected by oil spills resulting with high concentrations of mercury in their Colombian Amazon is protected within concentrations provided by the grasses, which from guerrilla attacks on the main pipeline and tissues (concentrations that are in excess of 5 National Parks and Reserves. However, much are important for both fish and dolphins accidental discharges. Caño Limon pipeline times the amount allowed by the World Health of the remaining 60% is under pressure due (Goulding 1989, Jiménez 1994). has been bombed and mined 473 times since it Organization) were found in this region, despite to the encroachment of ranchers and settlers was completed in 1986. There were 47 attacks the fact that samples were collected in areas far (Moreno et al. 1989). The ongoing construction Dams are also a threat to river dolphins in the first 6 months of 1997. The 1.5 million away from the mining centers.(Trujillo et al. of new roads to open up areas in the Amazon due to population fragmentation (Reeves barrels of oil that were spilled in the bombings 2005, Trujillo et al. 2008). The top predators and Orinoco regions encourages migrants & Leatherwood 1994). In Colombia the have caused irreparable pollution to the aquatic of the food webs, such as river dolphins and to move into the eastern plains and forests construction of small-scale dams for supplying ecosystem. They constitute the sixth largest oil humans, consume these species. of Colombia. According to Andrade (1992), local power has been proposed. This would spill in history and the largest for continental settlement has increased since the 1980s in involve a series of dams and hydroelectric waters (Viña et al. 1992). Other sources of pollution include pesticides the Amazon. As a result, every year, thousands plants, with at least one dam on the Colombia- (DDT is still used in some parts of Colombia) of hectares of forest are cut down for timber Venezuela frontier at the Atures rapids near Mining activities also pollute rivers such as the which are applied to rice crops; chemicals Puerto Ayacucho. As these rapids are passable Putumayo, Guaviare and Taraira in Colombia, such as sulphuric acid and acetone, used in and farming. Burgess (1993) estimated that for Inia only during one season of the year, a where unknown quantities of mercury have illegal drug production; and hydrocarbons, 0.85% of Colombia’s forest cover was cleared dam would affect dolphin movements. This been discharged during gold mining. Both sewage and solid waste discharges from towns annually between 1981 and 1990. The annual will also alter flooded cycles, and therefore, military patrols and guerrilla presence have and river ports. In the Orinoco, cotton and deforestation rate of the Amazon in Colombia productivity in the river systems. controlled mining to some extent. The amount watermelon crops are commonly planted on is estimated to be 2.2% per year (Myers 1989). of mercury discharged annually in Brazilian the riverbanks and on emergent islands during Another water development project has been gold mining areas is estimated at 120,000 the low water season, and in the Meta River, for Cattle ranching, in particular, involve clear- proposed by the Colombian government to kg/yr., mainly in the form of methylmercury. instance, farmers use chemicals such as DDT cutting and the replacement of forests with vast recuperate the navigability in the Meta River by This presents a serious threat to people and to (Diazgranados, 1997). areas of pasture. For example, Myers (1989) the construction of a hydroway that will allow dolphins and otters, as they are the top predators estimated that 14,500 square km of forest were the transportation of large vessels all year round. in the (Martinelli et al. 1988, Boat traffic cleared for cattle ranches by 1985, just in the If this goal is accomplished by the government, Rosas & Lehti 1996, Gutleb et al. 1997). Some Acoustic pollution also affects the Caquetá Department (state). Some regions, this river will become the connection between researchers have pointed out that mercury communication processes of dolphins (Gordon such as Guaviare, are under pressure from the Bogotá, D.C. and the main cities of the pollution extends far beyond gold mining areas & Moscrop 1996). Inia avoid areas with growth of the international cocaine market, interior of Colombia with the Atlantic Ocean. because of the dispersion of sediment and fish increasingly heavy cargo and passenger traffic, with large plantations of coca in the middle The environmental problems of this project migrations (Villas Boas 1997). but no serious research has been conducted to of the forest (Myers 1989). In many cases trees would affect the changes in the water level of examine this potential threat (Trujillo, comm. are removed from the riverbanks destroying the river, which will impact the productivity During 2004 and 2005, the concentration of pers). The increase of the number of boats, both their benefits in the ecosystem, such as the and therefore, the availability of resources for mercury in the tissues of commercial fish in the commercial and recreational vessels, and their prevention of erosion by their roots and the communities and wildlife. This project also Orinoco River Basin was conducted, showing size and speed on most of the rivers, could availability of seeds and fruit needed to support plans to build at least three big ports on the that there is a problem of toxicity caused by influence dolphin activities in the future. For fish populations. shore of the Meta River and in the confluence mercury in the Orinoco watershed (Trujillo example, in the study area in the Orinoco, Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 50 ] [ 51 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Table 7. Threats for river dolphins in Colombia. there is continuous boat traffic between Puerto motivations to travel to the Amazon is dolphin Carreño and Puerto Paez-El Burro (Venezuela). watching (Trujillo, 2009), generating almost Each day approximately 20 speedboats (with US$ 6 million per year (Hoyt & Iniguez 2008, Threats Location Description 45 to 200HP out-board engines), cross the Trujillo 2009). However, the legislation is Orinoco and Meta rivers up to 100 times per not clear about these activities in Colombia, Direct day. This area is only about 1 km² and appears and if this activity is recommended without to be very important for dolphins, with regular a monitoring and controlled program, it may Competition between dolphins and sightings of groups of up to 40 animals. Most become another threat instead of a solution. fishermen for the same resource. Rivers Amazon, Putumayo, boat drivers admitted to having collided with Interactions with fishermen This makes fishermen to wound or Caquetá, Meta and Orinoco dolphins on at least one occasion. kill dolphins to get them out of the Legislation and red list categories fishing areas. A study conducted in the Colombian Amazon Incidental catches especially during suggests that there are differences in the Sotalia is listed in Appendix I of CITES Rivers Amazon, Putumayo, transitional seasons and mainly in response of the dolphins to the boat traffic, (Convention on International Trade in Bycatch - Accidental killing Caquetá, Meta and Orinoco monophylament nets. Juveniles and and, in the short term, there is an influence of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). calves are more suceptible the boat traffic on the dolphin’s shallow water Inia is listed in Appendix II of CITES and it is behavior that includes activities as feeding, also listed in Appendix II of CMS (Convention The killing and posterior use of Rivers Putumayo, Meta and Deliberate killing dolphins decomposed flesh to catch reproduction and resting (Mejia 2001, Acosta on Migratory Species). The UICN red list probably in the Amazon the scavenger catfish Mota 2002). Moreover, Sotalia dolphins appear to of threatened species listed Inia and Sotalia respond more evasively than Inia to the offshore as “Data Deficient” (Reeves et al. 2008). In engines. the Red Book of Mammals of Colombia Indirect (Rodríguez-M. et al. 2006), both species are listed as Vulnerable. Rivers Meta, Casanare, Tourism Habitat degradation Amazon, Putumayo and Due to deforestation and overfishing Many organizations and international Caquetá There has been a growing awareness that agreements may play an important role in cetacean tourism, like tourism of all kinds, the conservation of Inia, including the World Indirect may act as a conservation strategy. However, Heritage Committee (WHC), the Convention intensive, persistent, and unregulated vessel on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation There is only gold mining in the traffic that focuses on animals while they in the Western Hemisphere (NPWH), rivers Caquetá and Inírida but are resting, feeding, nursing their young, the and the Amazon Rivers Amazon, Meta, high concentrations of mercury or socializing can disrupt those activities, Cooperation Treaty (Best & da Silva 1989b). Pollution by Mercury Inírida, Caquetá, and has been found on fish in most and possibly cause long-term problems for Guaviare rivers of the Amazon and Orinoco populations (Reeves et al. 2003). Nevertheless, The management and conservation of cetaceans basins, especially in those that are migratory organized ecotourism created accordingly with and sirenians are covered in the Decree 1608 of results about the status of the populations, 1978 under Article 5 of the Code of Natural There are plans of modification of may be used as a helpful strategy to point Resources of the Colombian Government. the flooded pulses for the river Meta Hydro ways River Meta some attention on these ecosystems through The law also contains a chapter controlling to make navigation possible along charismatic species that may act as key species the hunting, sale and scientific catch of wild the year for the conservation of river Basins. At present, animals. However, the implementation of There is a steady increase on boat river dolphins has a huge potential in the this legislation is limited by infrastructure Boat traffic and unregulated Rivers Amazon, Meta, traffic in several rivers of the Colombian Amazon, and 90% of about 28.000 deficiencies, including (i) the lack of formal tourism activities Putumayo and Orinoco Amazon and Orinoco basins tourist per year agreed that one of the main procedures for enforcement, (ii) the lack of Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 52 ] [ 53 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

appropriate enforcement agencies and (iii) and Natural Reserves in Colombia. There are et al. 2008a). Some of the recommended other misfortunes; on the other hand shamans limited expertise within those agencies that do 5,898,375 hectares of protected area covering actions were undertaken through a partnership sometimes invoke dolphins to eliminate illness. exist. both the Amazon and Orinoco regions where between several organizations around a project the species occur (Table 8). Additionally, called FACUAM (Actions for the use and Fishermen have different attitudes toward the Recently, Colombia implemented the New an important percentage of remaining conservation of threatened aquatic fauna in tucuxi and the bufeo. They argue that the tucuxi Penal Code that include for the first time, territory corresponds to Indigenous Reserves the Colombian Amazon). The same year that is friendly and helps fishing by driving the fish penalties in money and jail for people that (129 reserves and special territories), where the Action Plan for the Conservation and toward the nets, while bufeo is considered to be threaten endangered species such as river exploitation of natural resources occurs in a Management of endangered species in the a serious competitor. dolphins. In the same way, two regional Action more rational basis (Caja Agraria et al. 1990). Biosphere Reserve El Tuparro in the Colombian Plans for Aquatic Endangered species have Orinoco was published and included among In the Amazon, the dolphin-watching tourism been published in Colombia, including river the endangered species is the river dolphin industry has been growing rapidly during dolphins (Trujillo et al. 2008b). Action Plans (Trujillo et al. 2008b). The implementation of recent years. Regional and national educational this plan has been developed during the last campaigns to conserve river dolphins increased Some action plans has been developed two years, where meetings with governmental primarily because local communities and Conservation initiatives in Colombia during the last three years that included river entities and tourist guides were held. Protocols tourists have become interested in aquatic dolphins. The first one corresponded to an of dolphin watching were formulated and fauna and secondly because it allowed the Protected areas action plan for aquatic threatened species in socialized with boat drivers and tourist guides renewal of indigenous beliefs about the aquatic The Amazon River dolphin is in theory fully the Amazon region: river dolphins, manatees, in the region. Also, scientific studies of photo/ world. This is important as many families have protected in part of its habitat by Natural Parks otters, turtles and black caimans (Trujillo, identification are being carried out in the area started to produce traditional woodcarvings of of Puerto Carreño (Vichada). This Action Plan animals, especially dolphins, as an alternative is included in the “Regional Action Plan for source of income. Table 8. Existing protected areas where river dolphins occur in Colombia. P.N.N. corresponds to Natural Parks the of the Orinoco River Basin in and R.N.N. to Natural Reserves. Colombia (PARBO, 2005). Education Along research studies, educational programs At present, the National Action Plan for Aquatic to encourage the protection of dolphins and Name of the Park Area (ha) River System Mammals in Colombia is being designed by their habitat have also been carried out in the governamental and NG organizations, and Amazon, Caquetá, Orinoco and Arauca study P.N.N. Amacayacu 293,500 Amazon includes most of the recommendations of the areas and at the national level as well (Trujillo South American River Dolphins action Plan. 1990, Galindo 1997, Diazgranados 1997, P.N.N. Cahuinarí 575,500 Caquetá Fuentes 1998). This educational work included P.N.N. Chiribiquete 1,280,000 Apaporis, Mesay, Yarí Cultural beliefs discussions, consultations, workshops and Some local beliefs and legends help to protect meetings in local communities (particularly P.N.N. La Macarena 630,000 Guayabero, Ariari, Duda dolphins in the Amazon. Such beliefs are being with fishermen, tourist guides, the relevant diluted as new settlers move in, but there are authorities and children). Outside the project R.N.N. Nukak 855,000 Inírida some areas where indigenous communities areas, education efforts were directed primarily maintain cultural traditions and attitudes to at schools and the media. During the last six P.N.N. La Paya 422,000 Putumayo resource exploitation (Kendall & Trujillo 1992; years a concerted national campaign has been Kendall 1999). For example, most indigenous made by the Foundation Omacha distributing R.N.N. Puinawai 1,092,500 Inírida communities have strong taboos against eating school exercise books over the whole country. dolphin meat, perhaps because dolphins are These exercise books have pictures of dolphins P.N.N. Tinigua 201,875 Guayabero often thought to be magical creatures that can on the cover and biological and conservation transform into humans and vice versa. Killing information inside. Additionally, the most P.N.N. Tuparro 548,000 Orinoco or injuring a dolphin can bring sickness and important editorial scholar in the country made Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 54 ] [ 55 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

a book series for the first five degrees of basic hunting of river dolphins can cause the decline dolphin conservation has encouraged the Conservation school based on endangered species in general, of river dolphin populations within a few years, support of the Government to propose and • It is necessary to have an action plan for and river dolphins in particular. therefore, it is of particular interest to promote implement Action Plans in Colombia. fisheries both in the Amazon and Orinoco alternatives and conservation actions. (working together with Venezuela, Brazil The Foundation Natutama has created an and Peru) and to include river dolphins and interpretation center in the town of Puerto Important steps for conservation of these Recommendations other aquatic species. Nariño, in the Amazon region. It has developed species have been adopted by the government a strong education program involving local and local communities with recognition of their • Undertake a public campaign to stop Research schools and researchers from the community ecological, social and economic importance. the trade of the mota fish Calophysus ( while at the same time, educating an important River dolphins have become emblematic • To estimate population parameters macropterus) until the deliberate killing of number of tourists that leave the Amazon species to promote the conservation of aquatic (population size and density) and to river dolphins stops. with a clear perspective of the importance ecosystems in the Amazon and Orinoco, and conduct genetic studies in the Putumayo of river dolphin and aquatic conservation. have encouraged the evaluation of fisheries, and Guaviare rivers. • Develop alternative baits to catch the mota Celebrations such as the “Day of the Dolphin pollution by mercury and even promotion of fish. and other aquatic creatures” in Puerto Nariño, designation of protected areas (RAMSAR sites) • To evaluate the effect of tourism and fisheries Colombian Amazon, every February 2nd, are in aquatic ecosystems. • Develop and consolidate economic in river dolphin populations. This can be initiatives from the Foundation Omacha that alternatives such as dolphin watching and investigated by conducting standardized complement those education efforts with Long term education efforts have also allowed wood carving. research on aspects related to residency schools and local communities. a positive change in the attitude of local people toward the dolphins, and in some cases have patterns, social structure and acoustics, promoted economic alternatives such as dolphin in order to increase the knowledge in the ecology of this species, and to evaluate the Acknowledgements Conservation status of river dolphins watching in the Amazon with production of human disturbance at different levels. and general remarks US$ 6.6 per year (Hoyt & Iñiguez 2008). We would like to thank the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, WWF, WCS, Global River dolphin populations are vulnerable Conservation efforts for river dolphins in • To monitor the density and population size Ocean and the Whitley Fund for Nature for all in Colombia and it is necessary to continue Colombia are strongly connected with holistic of river dolphins in key areas where conflicts their support for the last 15 years of river dolphin approaches in the Amazon and Orinoco, always monitoring closely the status of the populations. with fisheries or other serious threats occur. research in Colombia. We also want to thank involving local communities and proposing Colciencias for its support at the beginning economic alternatives. For instance, density estimates obtained in the of the research and also so many researchers, river Meta were very low, and it is of serious • Evaluate the effect of climate change upon students and people from local communities Scientific research in Colombia has covered concern that the local distribution of river river dolphins and their prey. that have contributed on the research of river the most important rivers both in the Amazon dolphins in the upper part of the Meta river is dolphins during the 20 years.Some of them are and Orinoco River Basins over 20 years of changing, probably due to human disturbance. Alejandra Galindo, Libia Fuentes, Maria Estella continuous research. However, it is necessary to Education In addition, the possibility of future Matallana, Marisol Beltrán, Diana Morales- develop a standardized program, and to publish • Consolidate an education program around macroprojects such as hydroways may change Betancourt, Cesar Bonilla, Lucía Bermudez, results using statistically robust methodologies. river dolphins in Colombia and replicate rapidly the conditions in aquatic systems. Andrea Acosta, Paola Mejía, Jose Becerra and initiatives at the interpretation center in Jacinto Teherán. The river dolphin program in Colombia has Puerto Nariño (Fundación Natutama). In addition, management plans in many been useful to train more than 45 scientists. riverine systems in Colombia are necessary in These scientists have in turn, applied these order to avoid the overxploitation of fisheries research techniques in their respective countries: and other aquatic resources, which may disrupt Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. local comunities and wildlife in general. Negative interactions with fisheries and direct Chapter 1 The communication strategy around river Chapter 1 [ 56 ] [ 57 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

1.3. Ecology and conservation status of river dolphins Inia and Sotalia in Peru

Tamara L. McGuire1 & Enzo Aliaga-Rossel2

(1) 1101 E. 76th Ave, Suite B, Anchorage, Alaska, 99518 USA - [email protected] (2) Institute of Ecology, La Paz, Bolivia, and The University of Hawaii at Manoa, EECB Program - [email protected]

Abstract

Information on the ecology and conservation size should take into account the high degree status of river dolphins found in Peru, Inia of yearly, intra-seasonal, and daily variability of geoffrensis geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis river dolphin counts and sampling should occur fluviatilis, is patchy. Results of studies frequently. The majority of Inia and Sotalia conducted in the Pacaya-Samiria National were seen within 100 m from shore. Most large Reserve between 1991 and 2000 form the groups were seen in confluences areas or around basis of information for this paper. Encounter mid-channel islands or bends in rivers. Inia rates for Inia and Sotalia in the Pacaya-Samiria were found in rivers as shallow as 2.3-m, and Reserve were within the range of encounter rates Sotalia in rivers as shallow as 3.5-m. Inia and for these dolphins elsewhere in South America. Sotalia were found in lakes as shallow as 1.5-m. Chapter 1 River width was related to the abundance of

Studies to monitor river dolphin population Chapter 1 [ 58 ] [ 59 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Sotalia, but not of Inia. Inia were more common variabilidad anual, intra-estacional y diaria estudio del Pacaya Samiria es aparentemente de encontro de golfinhos em rios e lagos não in blackwaters than in whitewaters, and Sotalia que se presenta en los conteos de delfines de buena. Entre 1991 y el 2000 los números diferiram entre estações. Inia foram avistados abundance was not associated with water type. río y el muestreo debe realizarse de manera poblacionales se encuentran estables. com mais freqüência como indivíduos solitários Encounter rates were highest in confluences, frecuente. La mayoría de individuos de ambas e Sotalia foram avistados mais frequentemente intermediate in lakes, and lowest in rivers. Inia especies fueron observados dentro de un como solitários/em pares. Onze golfinho occurred in higher densities than Sotalia in all rango de 100 m con respecto a la orilla. Los Resumo mortos foram examinados. Envenenamento lakes, confluences, and most rivers. Neonates grupos de mayor tamaño fueron vistos en las intencional foi provavelmente a causa da of both species were absent from the Marañón confluencias y alrededor de los canales o curvas Inia geoffrensis geoffrensis e Sotalia fluviatilis morte de sete dos golfinhos. Acasalamentos River and from tributaries <50 m. In general, de baja corriente cercanos a las islas. Inia fue fluviatilis são encontrados no Peru, onde e nascimentos foram observados durante o encounter rates of dolphins in rivers and lakes encontrada en ríos a profundidades de 2.3 m, informações sobre a ecologia e o status de ano todo, com nascimentos de Inia com pico did not differ among seasons. Inia were seen y Sotalia en ríos a profundidades promedio de conservação destes golfinhos de rio são levemente durante a vazante, e nascimentos most often as single animals and Sotalia were 3.5 m. Ambas especies fueron encontradas en dispersas. Resultados de estudos realizados na de Sotalia aumentando ligeiramente durante seen most often as singles/pairs. Eleven dead lagos con profundidades de 1.5 m. El ancho Reserva Nacional Pacaya-Samiria entre 1991 e águas altas e baixas. A maioria das ameaças aos dolphins were examined. Intentional poisoning del río está relacionado con la abundancia de 2000 formam a base das informações para este golfinhos de rio no Peru são captura em redes de was the likely cause of death for seven of the Sotalia, pero no con la de Inia. Inia es más artigo. As taxas de encontro para Inia e Sotalia pesca e envenenamento por pescadores. Como dolphins. Mating and calving were observed común en aguas negras que en aguas blancas, na Reserva de Pacaya-Samiria estiveram dentro no ano de 2000, populações de golfinhos de rio to occur year-round, with Inia calving peaking y la abundancia Sotalia no está asociada con el dos limites de taxas de encontro para estes na área de estudo da Reserva Pacaya-Samiria somewhat during falling water, and Sotalia tipo de aguas. Las tasas de encuentro fueron golfinhos em outros locais da América do Sul. parecem estar relativamente saudáveis. Estudos calving increasing slightly during high and más altas en las confluencias, intermedias Estudos para monitorar tamanho populacional indicam que os números populacionais foram low water. Major threats to river dolphins in en los lagos y más bajas en los ríos. Las de golfinhos de rio deveriam levar em conta o estáveis entre 1991-2000. Peru are entanglement in fishing equipment densidades de Inia fueron mayores con respecto alto grau de variabilidade anual, intra-sazonal and poisoning by fishermen. As of 2000, a los valores para Sotalia, en todos los lagos, e diária das contagens de golfinhos de rio e river dolphin populations in the study area confluencias y en la mayoría de los ríos. Tanto amostragens deveriam ocorrer frequentemente. Introduction of the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve appeared to en el río Marañón como en tributarios de un A maioria de Inia e Sotalia foram vistos dentro be relatively healthy. Studies indicate that ancho menor a 50m no se vieron neonatos de de 100 m da margem. A maioria dos grandes Information on the ecology and conservation population numbers were stable between 1991- ninguna de las dos especies. En general, las grupos foram vistos em áreas de confluência, status of river dolphins in Peru is spacially and 2000. tasas de encuentro de delfines en ríos y lagos ou ao redor de ilhas dentro dos canais ou nas temporarily patchy. Kasuya & Kajihara (1974) no difiere entre las estaciones hidroclimáticas. curvas dos rios. Inia foi encontrada em rios a conducted brief surveys of the Amazon River Se observaron con mayor frecuencia individuos profundidades rasas de 2.3-m, e Sotalia em rios and other rivers near Iquitos in the 1970’s. A Resumen solitarios de Inia y para el caso de Sotalia a profundidades rasas de 3.5-m. Inia e Sotalia 3-month river dolphin survey of the Ucayali se observaron individuos solos o en parejas. foram encontrados em lagos a profundidades River was conducted in 1991 by Sokolov & Inia geoffrensis geoffrensis y Sotalia fluviatilis Once individuos muertos fueron examinados. rasas de 1.5-m. A abundância de Sotalia foi Yaskin (1996). fluviatilis se encuentran en Perú, donde la Envenenamiento intencional fue la causa de relacionada com largura dos rios, mas não para información sobre su ecología y estado de muerte de siete de estos individuos. La época Inia. Inia foi mais comum em águas pretas do The majority of research on river dolphins conservación es dispersa. Los resultados de de reproducción y nacimiento de crías ocurrió a que em águas brancas, e a abundância de Sotalia in Peru comes from several related studies estudios realizados en la Reserva Nacional lo largo del año, con Inia el pico de nacimiento não foi associada com o tipo de água. Taxas de that were conducted upriver from Iquitos, by Pacaya Samiria entre 1991 y 2000 son la de crías se observó durante la época de lluvias, encontro foram mais altas em confluências, graduate researchers of Dr. Bernd Würsig of base para la información de este artículo. Las y para Sotalia los nacimientos se incrementaron intermediárias em lagos e mais baixas em the Research Program at tasas de encuentro Inia y Sotalia en el Pacaya durante la época de de aguas altas y bajas. Las rios. Inia ocorreu em maiores densidades Texas A& M University, USA. The Pacaya- Samiria se encuentran dentro del rango para mayores amenazas para los delfines de río en do que Sotalia em todos lagos, confluências Samiria Reserve (Fig. 6) was studied because estos delfines en otros lugares de Suramérica. Perú son el entallamiento en redes de pesca y el e na maioria dos rios. Neonatos de ambas as it offered a relatively pristine environment in Los estudios de monitoro de las poblaciones de envenenamiento por pescadores. Para el 2000, espécies foram ausentes no Rio Marañón e which to obtain baseline data. This long-term delfines de río, deben tomar en cuenta la alta la población de delfines de río en el área de em seus tributários <50m. Em geral, taxas research project of the ecology and conservation Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 60 ] [ 61 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

status of river dolphins in and around the encounter rates were highest in confluences, Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve was initiated intermediate in lakes, and lowest in rivers between 1991 and 1993 by the late Dr. Stephen (McGuire 2002). Inia occurred in higher Leatherwood (1996, Leatherwood et al. 2000), densities than Sotalia in all lakes, confluences, and continued 1994-1995 (Henningsen and rivers, except the Marañón River. Other 1998), 1997-1998 (Zúñiga 1999) , and 1996- researchers also have noted that Sotalia are 2000 (McGuire 2002, McGuire & Aliaga- more common than Inia in the mainstems Rossel 2007, McGuire & Henningsen 2007, of the Amazon and Marañón rivers (Best & McGuire in review). Results of these studies are da Silva 1989b, Leatherwood 1996, Vidal et synthesized in McGuire 2002, which will form al. 1997, Leatherwood et al. 2000). These the basis of information for this paper. differences may be in part due to differences in species detectability, bioenergetics, prey distribution, abundance, and ease of capture Species and local names (i.e., prey capture may be facilitated by river current, turbidity, and channel width). Two species of freshwater dolphins are found in Peru: Inia geoffrensis geoffrensis, (family Rivers: Inia encounter rates were highest in Iniidae) and Sotalia fluviatilis fluviatilis (family blackwater rivers that ran parallel to, and have Delphinidae). Although the Portuguese names multiple connections with, the whitewater (boto for Inia and tucuxi for Sotalia) have been Marañón River. This ensuing mix of white- designated as the official common names for the and blackwaters may result in higher than species (Leatherwood & Reeves 1983), in Peru, average productivity within these rivers. There these dolphins are most commonly referred to also may be a greater diversity and abundance as the bufeo rosado and the bufeo gris. The of fish from the proximity of the two water genus names will be used in this paper. types, as the physical connections between these rivers and the Marañón affords dolphins increased access to blackwater and whitewater Status of population prey and habitats. Compared to other rivers surveyed, Inia encounter rates were lowest in Distribution the Marañón River, and this could be in part Inia and Sotalia are found in a variety of due to difficulty detecting them in the wide, freshwater habitats in Peru, although Inia are turbulent water. Sotalia encounter rates were found farther up Amazonian headwaters of the similar for wide rivers, and were lower in Marañón and Ucayali rivers than are Sotalia. narrow rivers (<50m width). Both species are found in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. For a thorough review of Lakes: Oxbow lakes are remnant channels of the river dolphin distribution in Peru and elsewhere main-stem rivers where meanders have been cut in South America, see da Silva 1994. off from the river current at one or both ends. These lakes are important spawning and feeding Distribution and relative abundance according habitats for many fish (Lowe-McConnell 1975, Figure 6. Map of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, Peru. to habitat type: Rivers, lakes, and confluences 1987), and fish biomass is often higher in lakes of various sizes and water types were sampled than in nearby rivers (Bayley 1988, Guerra in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. Inia and Sotalia 1995). Lakes may be bioenergetically favorable Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 62 ] [ 63 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

habitat for fish and dolphins, as these animals all sampled confluences of the Pacaya-Samiria to greater availability and ease of capture of prey, productivity and fish abundance. In blackwater do not have to expend energy swimming against Reserve; however, Inia were more likely to greater security from predators or strandings, rivers, dolphin abundance was not associated currents. Dolphin densities were higher in lakes persist throughout a sampling day, while nutrient dynamics, hydraulic refugia provided with pH, temperature, or depth, although than in rivers; however, densities were not as Sotalia occurrence was more variable (McGuire by countercurrents and eddies, and increased Inia were found in higher densities in areas of high in lakes as in confluences. In the Pacaya- 2002). There was no correlation, (positive or access to other habitats. greater water transparency. Sotalia abundance Samiria Reserve, Inia and Sotalia were found negative) between the occurrence of Inia and was not associated with water type in rivers of in lakes as shallow as 1.5-m mean depth. The the occurrence of Sotalia in confluence areas. Association with river depth and channel width: equal width. It is difficult to generalize about relationship between lake depth and dolphin The association of dolphin abundance and dolphin distribution and abundance with abundance varied according to lake and species, Distance from shore: Knowledge of the distance absolute river depth was examined separately respect to water type, as differences in water and results suggest that the flux of water levels that dolphins are typically seen from shore from season because there was variation in type were confounded with differences in river is more important than the absolute depth. during surveys has implications for deciding depth within seasons (seasons were classified width, water depth, boat traffic, and current. The degree of stability of the lake hydrograph how best to survey for these animals in wide according to a combination of relative depth and may have a strong effect on dolphin density; rivers like the Marañón and Amazon. The month of the year). The relationship between Seasonal distribution, abundance, and habitat for example, the Tipishca del Samiria had the majority of Inia and Sotalia in the Marañón were Inia abundance and depth was not statistically association: In general, encounter rates for Inia smallest seasonal flux in water levels and the seen within 100 m from shore. Strip- transects significant in any of the rivers. The relationship and Sotalia in rivers and lakes did not differ greatest densities of dolphins of both species. that sample disproportionately near-shore will between Sotalia abundance and depth was only among seasons (high water, falling water, low Larger lakes have more of a buffering capacity therefore positively bias population estimates, significant in the Marañón River, whereSotalia water, and rising water) once differences in because they do not experience the same especially for Inia, which were found near shore abundance increased with decreasing depth. seasonal sampling effort and the variation variability in surface areas with depth changes more often than were Sotalia. The distance Sotalia may leave shallower bodies of water within season encounter rates were accounted as shallower lakes, and may provide refuge to from shore at which dolphins are normally for the deeper waters of the Marañón during for. Within-season variability was usually fish and dolphins during low water periods the dry season. The body structure of Sotalia found is also important for assessing threats greater than between-season variability. For when shallower lakes and rivers become dry. to these animals, as most human fishing, boat makes them less flexible and less maneuverable example, during a 5-day period, the water level Inia occurred in higher densities than Sotalia traffic, and waste discharge occurs near shore. in shallow water than Inia, and Sotalia have of one lake had dropped by about 2 m, and in all lakes. Sotalia were most often found in Dolphins may be found closer to the shore in been shown to feed primarily on schooling fish the number of dolphins had decreased by 32 areas of deep water, and Inia were most often large rivers because these near-shore habitats found in open waters (Da Silva 1983), many Inia and 20 Sotalia. Dolphins may respond to found in the lake mouths. may provide greater prey availability, greater of which move to rivers during the dry season. changes in water depths and fish abundance, ease of prey capture, bioenergetic benefits of Other factors such as depths of nearby rivers but perhaps not on the scale likely to be detected Confluences:Confluences are convergence zones reduced current or closer proximity to smaller and lakes, river currents, human activity, and with the broad classification of season. There between two or more water bodies (rivers, lakes, lakes and tributaries. distribution and abundance of prey probably channels) that have been found to contain very affect dolphin abundance as well. It is not clear were statistically significant seasonal differences high river dolphin abundance (Magnusson Association with islands, confluences and river what the minimum mean depth requirement in occurrence of dolphins in confluences. et al. 1980, Best and da Silva 1989a, Smith bends: Most large groups (>5 dolphins) of is for river dolphins; Inia were found in rivers During low water, both species persisted longer 1993, Leatherwood 1996, Vidal et al. 1997, Sotalia and all large groups of Inia were seen in as shallow as 2.3-m mean depth and Sotalia in in the confluences throughout the sampling Diazgranados et al. 1998, Henningsen 1998, confluences areas or around mid-channel islands rivers as shallow as 3.5-m mean depth. River day, and occurred in higher densities than in McGuire & Winemiller 1998). Confluences of the Marañón. In the Samiria River, all large width was related to the abundance of Sotalia, any other season. Dolphins were less likely to offer high fish abundance, and predators of groups of Inia and the majority of large groups but not Inia. be in confluences during high water relative to fish often migrate to confluences just before of Sotalia were associated with either confluence other seasons, and when present, were in lower the migration of their prey species in order areas or bends of 90o or more. Leatherwood Association with water type: Both dolphin species densities than in other seasons. Confluences, to capture them in the bottleneck created by (1996) investigated of the association of were found in blackwaters and whitewaters. with their deep water and high year-round the confluence (Lowe-McConnell 1975). The dolphins with confluences, beaches, and bends Inia were more common in blackwater than in density of prey, appear to provide important complex currents found in confluences may in the Samiria River, and found that dolphins whitewater, although Inia encounter rates were refuge to dolphins during low water periods disorient prey species and facilitate prey capture. had an affinity for these habitat features. He highest where black- and whitewaters mix; these when many shallow lakes and small tributaries High densities of Inia and Sotalia occurred in postulated that this association is probably due mixed waters may be areas of high primary are dry. Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 64 ] [ 65 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Taxonomic status and genetics scarce, in part because of the vast range of these as seemingly small differences in encounter hundreds of hours on the water, yet reports species (the Amazon River Basin and the lower rates have large implications for estimating seeing only one dead dolphin, which may have Based on morphology, distribution, and fossil Orinoco River Basin), and in part because of population size and determining conservation been killed in a net (Elizabeth Zúñiga, personal evidence, Best & Da Silva 1993 described challenging logistics and survey methods. Most status, especially when extrapolated over large communication). Dolphins undoubtedly are Inia as monotypic with three subspecies: I. g. studies have reported results in terms of relative areas. Any study that attempts to monitor river killed by net entanglement and in drop-traps boliviensis, I.g. geoffrensis, and I.g. humboldtiania, dolphin densities or encounter rates (Layne dolphin populations should take into account for fish, but the magnitude of the problem occurring in the Bolivian Amazon, the Amazon 1958, Magnusson et al. 1980, Best & Da Silva the high degree of yearly, intra-seasonal, and remains unquantified. Accounts of predation River Basin, and the Orinoco River Basin, 1989a, Borobia et al. 1991, Da Silva 1994, daily variability of river dolphin counts in on Inia by jaguars are common throughout respectively. Genetic studies of the phylogeny Da Silva & Best 1996, Herman et al. 1996, rivers, lakes, and confluences. Sampling should the Reserve, but such predation has not been of Inia have been conducted by Mateos and Leatherwood 1996, Trujillo 1992, Vidal et al. occur frequently within and between seasons documented. Hurtado 1998, Banguera-Hinestroza et al. 1997, Galindo 1998, Henningsen 1998, Reeves and years. Differences in diurnal occurrence 1998, 2000, Hamilton 2000, Hamilton et al. et al.1999, McGuire 2002, Martin et al. 2004), patterns were not detected for either species in 2001 & Ruiz-García et al. 2001. Based on as true densities are often difficult to obtain due Peru (McGuire 2002). If dolphin occurrence Biology analyses of mitochondrial genes, Banguera- to the complex habitat, elusive behavior, and patterns varied significantly by time of day, this Hinestroza et al. 2000 argued for two species of patchy distribution of river dolphins. would have had important ramifications for Most of what is known about biology of the Inia Inia- a monophyletic Inia boliviensis; and Inia survey results. and of the riverine Sotalia comes from the work geoffrensis, with two subspecies, I. g. geoffrensis Encounter rates for Inia and Sotalia in waterways of Best and Da Silva (Best 1984, Best & Da and I. g. humboldtiania. A related study used of the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve are presented in Silva 1984, 1989a, b, 1993; Da Silva 1994, Da mitochondrial genes and morphological tables 1-9. These encounter rates are within Mortality Silva & Best 1996) in the Brazilian Amazon. differences to conclude that Inia geoffrensis and the range of encounter rates for these dolphins Information about reproduction rates, growth Inia boliviensis are two distinct species (without elsewhere in the Amazon and Orinoco Basins Information on mortality of deceased dolphins rates, size in relation to age class and gestation subspecies) that separated 4.5-5.3 million years (Pilleri 1969, Pilleri et al. 1982, Best & Da encountered in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve of non-captive dolphins from regions other than ago due to geographic isolation by extensive Silva 1989a, Best & Da Silva 1989c, Schnapp between 1996 and 2000 is presented in Table Brazil does not currently exist in the published waterfalls located between the Amazon system & Howroyd 1990, Utreras 1995, Leatherwood 10 (McGuire 2002). Of the eleven deceased literature. The remainder of this discussion and Bolivian rivers (Ruiz-García et al. 2001). 1996, Vidal et al. 1997, Denkinger 1998, dolphins encountered and examined, probable on biology will be restricted to reproductive Based on mitochondrial genes and fossil Galindo 1998, Henningsen 1998, Aliaga Rossel cause of death could only be determined for ecology. Based on a study of Inia in Venezuela, evidence, Hamilton et al. 2001 proposed that 2000, da Silva & Martin 2000b). It is difficult one (drowning in a turtle net). One McGuire & Winemiller (1998) found evidence Inia entered an inland South American seaway to compare absolute encounter rates among dolphin was heavily bruised, but whether this of geographic variation in seasonality of river from the north, radiated to the south, and researchers and geographic areas, as a variety was from humans or other dolphins could not dolphin reproduction. populations were eventually isolated into the of methods have been used, and surveyed be determined. Harvest of teeth, skull, and present day taxa as the inland sea dried. rivers differ greatly in width, length, and possibly of the reproductive organs, appeared to Seasonality of Calving and Mating: Mating water type. In some cases, survey results have have occurred in only one instance. Although and calving were observed to occur year- Sotalia fluviatilis is monotypic, with marine been reported as dolphins per hour (Kasuya intentional poisoning was likely a cause of round in the Peruvian Amazon, with Inia (S. f. guianensis) and riverine (S. f. fluviatilis) & Kajihara 1974), or as numbers of dolphins death of seven of the dolphins, it could not calving peaking somewhat during falling ecotypes that differ in morphology and per river (McGuire 1995, Herman et al.1996, be substantiated (Reeves et al. 1999, McGuire water, and Sotalia calving increasing slightly coloration (Da Silva & Best 1996), although Diazgranados et al. 1998), without sufficient 2002) as collection permits for tissue collection during high and low water. Henningsen Caballero et al. (2007) proposed that each information to calculate encounter rates per km. and analysis were not granted. Interviews (1998) found the greatest number of Inia and subspecies be recognized as a separate species. Abundance estimates can be greatly affected by suggest that poisoning occurred in some areas Sotalia calves in the Peruvian Amazon during survey methods. Strengths and weaknesses of of the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. Leatherwood the transition (rising and falling) and dry various survey methods that have been used in (1996) reported seeing two dolphins that had seasons. Leatherwood et al. (1991) observed Abundance different studies of river dolphins are presented been caught in gillnets. Zúñiga (1999) lived neonate Inia in rising water and falling water, in McGuire 2002. It is crucial that researchers 11 months in the village of San Martin on the and newborn Sotalia in falling water (other Inia Sotalia standardize survey methods as much as possible, shores of the Tipishca del Samiria, and spent seasons were not sampled); see McGuire & Chapter 1 Population estimates of and are Chapter 1 [ 66 ] [ 67 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Aliaga-Rossel (2007) for a discussion of factors and moderate seasonal fluctuations in water to move between the three photographed Threats that might affect seasonality of reproduction. level and temperature compared to the other blackwater affluents of the Marañón Riveri.e ( ., Nonadult (neonates, calves, and juveniles) Inia lakes. Leatherwood et al. (1991) often observed the Yanayacu River, San Pablo de Tipishca, South American river dolphins experience accounted for 0.6%-13.6% of all Inia observed, newborn and nonadult Inia in “quiet waters and the Samiria River System; 30, 40, and 70 habitat degradation due to pollution, river and nonadult Sotalia accounted for 0.0-4.5% of tributaries” of the Pacaya-Samiria, and km apart respectively), but instead were always traffic, deforestation, hydro-electric dams of all Sotalia seen. These are similar to the rates newborn Sotalia in the Amazon and Marañón observed within the same affluent system (Reeves & Leatherwood 1994a), and over Henningsen (1998) found in the Samiria River, rivers. (results may be affected by small sample size). In fishing of their prey by humans (Best & Da Silva in which 10.0% of Inia and 3.0% of Sotalia the Samiria System, the maximum Inia range 1989a). They are sometimes killed incidentally were calves. Mating by Inia was observed in Group size, habitat, and season: In rivers and (defined as the river distance between the two during human fishing activity, including gill- all seasons, while mating by Sotalia was only lakes, Inia were seen most often as single animals most-extreme sighting locations of the same netting and dynamite fishing (Best & Da seen during falling water and rising water. The and Sotalia were seen most often as singles or individual) was 220 km, with a mean range of Silva 1989a). There are no records of non- mean mating group size was 3.6 for Inia and pairs. The largest group of Inia was 19, and 59.5 km (± 61.05 SD). The mean range of those human predation on river dolphins, although 2.0 for Sotalia. Mating activity was observed in the largest group of Sotalia was 13. Mean Inia dolphins in the Samiria system that did not caiman, , jaguars, and bull sharks occur a variety of micro-habitats in confluence areas, group size was never greater than two animals, restrict themselves to the Tipishca del Samiria throughout their range. Taboos that prevented and an association of mating and habitat was regardless of season. Seasonal differences in was 104.0 km (± 72.11 SD), and the maximum the intentional harm of river dolphins once not detected. The average mating group size of mean Sotalia group size were of < one animal. range was 220 km. The greatest rate of travel existed among the native people of the region Inia Inia would be consistent with the polygamous Throughout the range of and freshwater observed for Inia was 120 km in 2 days, which (Best & da Silva 1989a, Slater 1994), but such mating system proposed by da Silva (1994) Sotalia, mean Inia group size in ranges from corresponded to 60 km/d, assuming a constant beliefs are disappearing and more recent settlers and Trujillo et al. (1998), and evidence against 1.2 to 6.1 animals, and mean Sotalia group rate of travel. For Sotalia, Henningsen (1998) often regard the dolphins as competitors for monogamy of this species, although it was not size is between 1.2 and 6.0 (Magnusson et al. observed a maximum rate of travel of 56 km/12 fish (Leatherwood 1996, McGuire & Zúñiga certain how many animals in a group were 1980, Schnapp & Howroyd 1990, Ojeda & hr. The lake Tipishca del Samiria appeared to 1997, Reeves et al. 1999, McGuire 2002). actually copulating. Vidal et al. 1995, Herman et al. 1996, Hurtado be an important location for Inia. Thirty-two 1996, Leatherwood 1996, Vidal et al. 1997, percent (n=6) of all dolphins identified in the Direct Habitat use by age class: Inia neonates were Henningsen 1998, Galindo 1998, McGuire Samiria River System were never observed Interactions with fishing operations seen in all sampled lakes, and in most of the & Winemiller 1998a, Parra & Bolaños 1998, outside of this oxbow lake. Fifty-three percent The major threats to river dolphins in Peru have blackwater tributaries. Neonates of both species Aliaga Rossel 2000, Trujillo & Diazgranados of all identifiedInia in the Samiria System were were absent from the whitewater Marañón 2000). Few studies have examined seasonal been reported as entanglement in fishing gear seen only in the lake and its vicinity (<5 km River and from the narrow blackwater (<50 changes in group size, and fewer still accounted (especially gill nets), and also capture in drop from the lake), and 95% of all identified Inia m) tributaries. Nonadult (i.e., neonates, calves, for seasonal differences in sampling effort. traps designed to catch paiche fish (Arapaima in the Samiria System were seen in this lake at and juveniles) Inia were found in all locations gigas) and manatees (Leatherwood 1996). As and habitats. Sotalia nonadults were found in Habitat associations, site fidelity and movement least once. Hypotheses as to why this lake may of 2000, there was no evidence that dolphins oxbow lakes, and wider white- and black-water patterns: Photo-identification techniques were be an important habitat for Inia are discussed were deliberately hunted for use as catfish rivers, but not in the narrow tributaries. Factors used to examine site fidelity and movement of in detail in McGuire (2002). Zúñiga’s (1999) bait in Peru, or that dolphins were killed to that may make a certain habitat advantageous river dolphins in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve. high rate of new identifications throughout the harvest body parts for sale. On occasions to nonadult dolphins include calm water, Images and range maps were compared year led her to conclude that the Tipishca del in Peru, dolphins are deliberately killed by moderate water temperatures, ease of prey with photo-catalogs of other researchers Samiria has a “local population with moderate fishermen attempting to protect their nets or capture, refuge from boat traffic and human (Leatherwood 1996, Henningsen 1998, Zúñiga immigration and emigration of other animals”. reduce the dolphins’ take of fish (Leatherwood disturbance, and proximity to fishing nets (this 1999) who had worked in the same area since Taken together with other studies, these results 1996, McGuire & Zúñiga 1997, Reeves et could be positive because of the ease of prey 1991; therefore results encompass a 10-yr period suggest that the lake has both a local and al.1999). Fishermen, residents, biologists, and capture or negative because of the possibility of (McGuire 2002, McGuire & Henningsen transient population. This result is consistent community workers living and working in entanglement in fishing gear and harassment by 2007). A total of 24 Inia were identified and with the tracking studies of da Silva and the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve reported that Inia fishermen). Neonates of both species were most resighted within the study area, and individual Martin (2000) in Brazil, where some Inia were are sometimes poisoned with fish that had likely to be seen in the Tipishca del Samiria, sighting histories ranged from 1 day to 7.6 seen in all habitats, while others remained in a been injected with a poison called „folidol“.

Chapter 1 which is a large oxbow lake with no current years. Identified dolphins were not observed particular lake system for almost a year. According to witnesses, fishermen captured Chapter 1 [ 68 ] [ 69 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

live fish, injected some with the poison, and Non-human predation the Pacaya-Samiria is increasing (INRENA- Legal status released the fish into the water, where dolphins Reports of dolphin-eating jaguars, or more AECI 2001) and brings with it an increase consumed them. They emphasized that this precisely dolphin-blood sucking amphibious in motorized boat traffic. In addition to the The conservation status of the freshwaterSotalia was the work of commercial fishermen, not jaguars, were given by Reserve residents, potential threats from strikes, boat motors (Sotalia fluviatilis fluviatilis) is designated as local people; and stated that the commercial rangers, and biologists, although evidence of produce noise, which may cause disruption of “not evaluated” by the IUCN Red List (Reeves fishermen were killing dolphins with the intent predation from jaguar, caiman, or piranha on dolphin behavior and habitat use. et al. 2003), while Inia is classified as vulnerable. of reducing competition for fish and protecting live or dead dolphins was not documented. their expensive nylon nets. Dolphins often Other threats Peru’s National Law Nº 26585 of April 1996 become entangled in the nets while preying Indirect Gold mining, hydroelectric dams, and gives legal protection to several cetaceans, on fish, and break the nets struggling to free Oil spills industrial manufacturing did not exist in or including Inia and Sotalia. Supreme Decree Nº themselves, resulting in economic losses to Although there were reports that dolphins had near the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve as of 2007. 00296-PE of 1996 allows for the protection and the fishermen. As of 2000, folidol was easily been killed in oil spills around the Reserve The possibility exists that dolphins ingest conservation of small cetaceans, and prohibits purchased in veterinary supply shops in the in 1992 and 1994, evidence for this was not mercury via predation on fish that migrate the consumption of cetacean meat. It also marketplace of Iquitos, and is a common trade documented (Leatherwood 1996). An oil spill from other regions where mercury is used. prohibits the harassment, disturbance, harm name of a 2.5 % methyl parathion mixture. of about 1,769,500 liters (467,500 gallons) Humans living hundreds of kilometers from to, or injury of small cetaceans, and specifies It is manufactured as an insecticide and occurred on 3 October 2001 on the Marañón the nearest gold mining operations have been that any small cetacean caught in a net must be acaricide (mite killer). Methyl parathion is a River, <100-km upriver of the confluence found to have above-normal levels of mercury released unharmed. This decree encourages state cholinesterase inhibitor, which interferes with with the Samiria River. The area was surveyed in their bodies, attributed to their fish-based agencies to promote and regulate ecotourism the nervous system. Folidol is toxic to fish and on 6 October, and no dead animals were diets (Serrill 1994). activities in small cetacean habitat. Supreme animals that eat poisoned fish, although birds encountered. The banks of the river and floating Decree Nº 0342004-AG of 2004 lists Inia as are not as affected. Inhalation and contact with vegetation were coated in heavy black oil, and a vulnerable species, and prohibits the hunting, folidol have been known to kill humans (World the river water had an oily sheen. Although Tourism transportation, and commercial exploitation Wide Web Extension Toxicology Network). The river dolphins have not been observed to die as of protected species. Finally, the Regional a direct result of oil spills, dolphins are probably newspaper “El Comercio”, 3 November 1997, Tourism may prove to be a double-edged sword Government of Loreto, with the Order Nº indirectly affected via destruction of habitat reported that Inia were rapidly disappearing for conservation in the Reserve and elsewhere 018-2008-GRL- CR , issued by the regional and prey. from the lakes and tributaries of the Ucayali in Peru. Tourism may increase public awareness government of Loreto State in 2008, calls for River near Pucallpa, as artisanal fishermen about particular animals, such as river the adequate care and maintenance of aquatic Boat traffic were killing the dolphins in an effort to protect dolphins, and about the Reserve in general. mammals kept in captivity for rehabilitation. Inia and Sotalia appeared to have an immediate, their nets. Fishermen reportedly used poison, Tourism has the potential to bring in valuable short-term (<3 min) avoidance response to fed the dolphins fish that have been filled with motor boats, which was more pronounced for resources to support research and conservation Conservation initiatives pins, trapped them with explosives, or more Sotalia. Neither species seemed to respond efforts. On the other hand, tourism can have commonly, beat them to death with oars or negatively to canoes, and Inia often approached negative impacts on local people, the dolphins, , branches if they were caught in the nets. canoes. Future studies should investigate the and the environment. Tourism will need to be As of 2000 river dolphin populations in the response of dolphins to boat traffic (perhaps carefully regulated and enforced if it is not to study area of the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve Dolphin products with the use of theodolite to track dolphin and contribute to the degradation of the Reserve. appeared to be relatively healthy. Although Dolphin teeth and oil were seen in the Iquitos boat movements), and the implications this As of 2000, raw sewage was directly discharged historic numbers are not known, studies indicate markets in small quantities and at moderate may have for direct counts of dolphins made from tour boats into pristine blackwater lakes, that population numbers were stable 1991- prices; dolphin meat was never seen. There was from moving survey vessels. Boat strikes of solid waste was often dumped overboard, 2000 (McGuire 2002). Major threats to river no evidence that dolphins were not killed for dolphins were never observed. However, two excursion boats traveled at high speeds (>20 dolphins are related to human fishing activity, these products, nor did there appear to be much of the 24 photo-identified Inia had scars that km/h) through manatee, dolphin and aquatic and these threats are certain to increase with demand for them. Dolphin products were not may have been caused by boat propellers, and a turtle habitat, and electric generators and boat the increasing human population and related seen in the market at Nauta or in the villages in third Inia had a broken upper beak that might motors (especially outboard motors) create air, demand for fish. Fishing is the major economic and around the Reserve. noise and water pollution. activity in the region, and more than 80% of

Chapter 1 have resulted from a boat strike. Tourism in Chapter 1 [ 70 ] [ 71 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

the fresh fish unloaded in Iquitos came from rescued, or accidentally captured Inia, Sotalia suggests the existence of both local and Many people, especially first and second- the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve and its buffer zone and Amazonian manatees (Trichechus inunguis). transient individuals. generation immigrants from other regions, (Rogriguez et al. 1995). River dolphin research view the Reserve as a source of resources to should continue with the aim of contributing Education satisfy immediate economic needs. Several to preemptive conservation strategies that Recomendations Environmental education campaigns, especially conservation groups have worked with the should be implemented while populations are in rural areas along waterways, are necessary to Reserve Administration to implement and fund still healthy. Research educate local people about the natural resources a master plan (INRENA-CTARL 2000), and Considering the high degree of intra-seasonal and biological diversity of aquatic ecosystems. it is hoped that this will strengthen the ability As with many top predators, the conservation and daily variability of dolphin counts during River dolphins, as charismatic megafauna, of the Reserve to protect its natural resources, of river dolphin populations is interdependent transects (differences as great as 74 Inia and serve as a way to stimulate interest in learning including river dolphins, their prey, and their with conservation of their habitat. The 51 Sotalia in the same body of water within a about and conserving the waters in which they habitat. Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve has been a season, and differences as great as 38 Inia and live and the fish on which they and humans protected area since 1940, and at its current 17 Sotalia within the same body of water on subsist. Conservation of river dolphins and size of 2,080,000 ha, is the largest reserve in consecutive days), it is important to emphasize other aquatic species is directly related to the Acknowledgements Peru (INRENA-CTARL 2000). The Reserve, that any research that attempts to monitor health of aquatic ecosystems and to the human although created to protect fish stocks, also river dolphin populations should take this pressures upon these systems. The following people and institutions are sincerely thanked: The administration and field has served as an effective river dolphin refuge. variability into account, and should sample Conservation workers of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, The success of the Reserve thus far has been frequently within seasons as well as between. The usefulness of population estimates and Although laws exist on paper to protect the the crews of the Defín and Miron Lento, the primarily due to its remoteness. Human particularly population-trend data obtained dolphins and some of their habitat, it is essential DeMatteos, Earthwatch Institute, Francisco pressure on the Reserve is growing, along with from short term, infrequent, expedition-type to develop efficient mechanisms of monitoring Estremadoyro, Families Aliaga, Pinedo and increased access from the recently opened surveys is questionable. It is important that and enforcement in areas where dolphins Tenazoa, INRENA, Dave Jepsen, Thomas highway linking Iquitos to the Reserve. Illegal statistical analyses be applied to population are present. Many of these laws and supreme Henningsen, the Kramarae/Kramer family, fishing, hunting, logging and homesteading estimates and population-trend data. Several decrees are unknown to many people living in Steve Leatherwood, LGL Alaska Research with slash-and-burn agriculture are common, unpublished scientific and popular reports have the area, and government officials often lack Associates, the McGuires, Víctor Morales, and these activities increase during times of claimed dramatic population declines for river the resources to enforce the law. Oceanic Society Expeditions, Gustavo Pereyra- economic hardship. It is questionable how well dolphins in some regions of South America in Panduro, Dulcie Powell, Pronaturaleza, Randy the Reserve can continue to function with an recent years, yet these studies were based on a The Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, although created Reeves, the Texas Institute of Oceanography, increase in human population and when faced few samples taken over a period of a few years, to protect fish stocks, also has served as an Gerónimo Vega Quevare, the Virtual Explorers, with limited and unreliable funding. However, and population estimates were not analyzed effective river dolphin refuge. The success of Kirk Winemiller, Bernd Würsig, Elizabeth several conservation groups (e.g., WWF, The with respect to variability of survey effort. Had the Reserve thus far has been primarily due Zúñiga, and the volunteers of Earthwatch, Nature Conservancy, ProNaturaleza) have been McGuire’s (2002) yearly counts of dolphins in to its remoteness. Human pressure on the Elderhostel, and the Oceanic Society. This working with the Reserve Administration to any of the lakes been taken out of context and Reserve is growing, along with increased access research was conducted under permits #53-97, implement and fund a master plan (INRENA- only compared between some years, they too from the recently-opened highway linking #27-99, #02-S/C 2000-INRENA-DGANPFS- CTARL 2000), and it is hoped that this will would have shown dramatic declines in some Iquitos to the Reserve. Illegal fishing, hunting, DANP. Thanks to Marcela Portocarrero Aya strengthen the ability of the Reserve to protect cases (but increases in others). However, when logging and homesteading with slash-and-burn for translation of the abstract to Portuguese its natural resources, including river dolphins, within-year variation is compared to between- agriculture are common, and these activities and for her facilitation of the presentation of their prey, and their habitat. year variation, it becomes apparent that none increase during times of economic hardship. this material. of the differences were statistically significant Ministerial Resolución Nº 588-96PE of 1996 and that population size was in fact stable. In is a conservation initiative that calls for the addition to seasonal, daily, and yearly variation, creation of an Iquitos-based institute for the it is important to consider variation among individual dolphins, as photo-identification Chapter 1 captive care and rehabilitation of confiscated, Chapter 1 [ 72 ] [ 73 ] [ 74] Chapter 1 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The Table 9. Inia encounter rates by season in the Marañón River; an x indicates that sampling did not occur.

Mean Vessel, eye Section No. Rising High Falling Low Study Method abundance CV height surveyed surveys water water water water and SD

modified strip transect, direct 0.1 /km 1 Leatherwood count with Delfín Amazon- 0.2/ 21 x x no info. no info 1996 correction 7 m Marañón km 0.2/km 2 factor**

modified strip Delfín transect, direct 7 m 0.2/ 0.4/ 0.3/km McGuire Marañón 39 0.1/km 0.5/km 1.07 count Miron km km (± 0.32 SD) 3.5 m

1= Leatherwood (1996) classified this as “ medium high water, but I reclassified it as “falling water” 2= Leatherwood (1996) classified this as “medium-medium low”, but I reclassified it as “falling water”. ** used a “pro rata” correction factor to account for unidentified dolphins

Table 10. Sotalia encounter rates by season in the Marañón River; an x indicates that sampling did not occur.

Vessel, Mean Section # Rising High Falling Low Study Method eye encounter CV surveyed surveys water water water water height rate and SD

modified midline, direct Leatherwood Delfín Amazon- 0.2/ 0.2/km 1 no count with 21 x x no info. (1996) 7 m Marañón km 0.3/km 2 info. correction factor **

modified strip Delfín The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The transect, 7 m 0.4/km McGuire Marañón 39 0.3/km 0.5/km 0.4/km 0.5/km 0.65 direct Miron (± 0.26 SD) count 3.5 m

1= Leatherwood (1996) classified this as “ medium high water, but I reclassified it as “falling water” 2= Leatherwood (1996) classified this as “medium-medium low”, but I reclassified it as “falling water”. ** used a “pro rata” correction factor to account for unidentified dolphins [ 75] Chapter 1 [ 76] Chapter 1 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The Table 11. Inia encounter rates by season in the Samiria River; an x indicates that sampling did not occur.

Vessel, Mean # Section Rising High Falling Low Study Method eye abundance CV surveys surveyed water water water water height and SD midline direct count with Leatherwood Delfín correction factor 4 1 and 2 x x 0.5/km2 x no info. no info. (1996) 7 m **

midline direct Leatherwood count with Delfín 5 2 x 0.5/km 0.7/km1 x no info. no info. (1996) correction factor 7 m **

midline direct Henningsen Miron Section 0.5/km count 7 0.5/km 0.5/km x 0.7/km no info. (1998) 5.75 m * 1-PV7 no SD

Delfín 7 m midline direct 1.5/km McGuire Miron 11 1 0.2/km 0.6/km 0.7/km 3.5/km 1.92 count (± 2.88 SD) 3.5 m

Delfín midline, direct 7 m 0.5/km McGuire 32 2 0.3/km 0.4/km 0.6/km 0.5/km 0.68 count Miron (± 0.27 SD) 3.5 m

1= Leatherwood (1996) classified this as “ medium high water, but I reclassified it as “falling water” to make it consistent with my classification of season. 2= Leatherwood (1996) classified this as “medium-medium low”, but I reclassified it as “falling water” to make it consistent with my classification of season. * the Miron had an additional deck when used by Henningsen that it did not have when I used it. **used a “pro rata” correction factor to account for unidentified dolphins

Table 12. Sotalia encounter rates by season in the Samiria River; an x indicates that sampling did not occur.

Vessel, Mean # Section Rising High Falling Low Study Method eye abundance CV surveys surveyed water water water water height and SD midline direct Leatherwood count with Delfín 0.4/ 4 1 and 2 x x x no info. no info. (1996) correction 7 m km2 factor ** midline direct count with Leatherwood Delfín correction 5 2 x 0.7/km 0.5/km1 x no info. no info. (1996) 7 m factor ** The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The midline direct Miron Henningsen count with Section 0.4- 0.3/km 5.75 7 0.3/km x 0.4/km no info. (1998) correction 1-PV7 0.3/km No SD m * factor Delfín midline direct 7 m 0.3/km McGuire 11 Section 1 0.8/km 0.7/km 0.1/km 0.2/km 1.13 count Miron (± 0.38 SD) 3.5 m Delfín midline, direct 7 m 0.4/km McGuire 32 Section 2 0.3/km 0.2/km 0.5/km 0.4/km 0.50 count Miron (± 0.20 SD) 3.5 m

1= Leatherwood (1996) classified this as “ medium high water, but I reclassified it as “falling water” to make it consistent with my classification of season. 2= Leatherwood (1996) classified this as “medium-medium low”, but I reclassified it as “falling water” to make it consistent with my classification of season. * the Miron had an additional deck when used by Henningsen that it did not have when I used it. ** used a “pro rata” correction factor to account for unidentified dolphins [ 77] Chapter 1 [ 78] Chapter 1 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The Table 13. Estimates of mean Inia abundance in Tipishca del Samiria; an x indicates that sampling did not occur (modified from Zúñiga 1999).

Vessel, eye # Rising High Falling Low Mean abundance Study Method CV height surveys water water water water and SD line transect, Leatherwood Delfín 50 1 43 zigzag 13 x 48 x 0.15 3 (1996) 7 m 36 2 SD not reported

direct count, Leatherwood skiff 26 loop 3 x 21 36 x 0.34 (1996) about 2 m (± 8.89 SD)

direct count, Henningsen 30 loop unspecified 2 x 30 x 30 0 (1998) (± 0.00 SD)

direct count, modified skiff 26 Zúñiga (1999) 78 24 28 24 32 0.61 zigzag about 2 m (± 15.90 SD)

Delfín direct count, 7 m 51 McGuire zigzag Miron 29 49 46 58 54 0.44 (± 22.66 SD) 3.5 m

1= Leatherwood (1996) classified this as “ medium high water, but I reclassified it as “falling water” to make it consistent with my classification of season. 2= Leatherwood (1996) classified this as “medium-medium low”, but I reclassified it as “falling water” to make it consistent with my classification of season. 3= Leatherwood (1996) used a different formula to estimate CV.

Table 14. Estimates of mean Sotalia abundance in Tipishca del Samiria; an x indicates that sampling did not occur (modified from Zúñiga 1999).

Mean # Rising High Falling Low Study Method Vessel, eye height abundance CV surveys water water water water and SD 20 line transect, Delfín 26 1 Leatherwood (1996) 13 x 19 x SD not 0.293 zigzag 7 m 25 2 reported direct count, 2 skiffs 18 Leatherwood (1996) 3 x 16 23 x 0.24 loop about 2 m (± 4.36 SD) direct count, 30 Henningsen (1998) unspecified 2 x 30 x 30 0 loop (± 0.00 SD) direct count,

1 skiff 20 River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The Zúñiga (1999) modified zigzag 78 22 22 17 11 0.71 about 2 m (± 14.13 SD)

Delfín direct count, McGuire (this 7 m 27 zigzag 29 32 25 22 20 0.63 paper) Miron (± 17.02 SD) 3.5 m

1= Leatherwood (1996) classified this as “ medium high water, but I reclassified it as “falling water” to make it consistent with my classification of season. 2= Leatherwood (1996) classified this as “medium-medium low”, but I reclassified it as “falling water” to make it consistent with my classification of season. 3= Leatherwood (1996) used a different formula to estimate CV. [ 79] Chapter 1 [ 80] Chapter 1 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The Table 15. Estimates of mean Inia and Sotalia abundance in San Pablo de Tipishca; an x indicates that sampling did not occur.

Vessel, # Rising High Falling Low Mean abundance Study Method CV eye height surveys water water water water and SD direct count, 1 Inia 1 Inia Leatherwood Not route unspecified unspecified 1 x 6 x 6 (1996) presented Sotalia Sotalia Delfín 11 Inia 7 m; 7 1 14 Inia 17 Inia (± 7.9 SD) 0.72 Inia McGuire direct count, Miron Inia Inia 28 9 13 0.96 (this paper) midline, loop 3.5 m; 3 0 Sotalia Sotalia 7 Sotalia Sotalia skiff Sotalia Sotalia (± 6.7 SD) 2 m

* Henningsen surveyed this lake, but does not present specific details. Encounter rates of 0.3 Inia/km and 0.1 Sotalia/km were reported for all lakes sampled in the Samiria System.

Table 16. Estimates of mean Inia and Sotalia abundance in lake Atun Cocha; an x indicates that sampling did not occur.

Mean Rising High Falling Low Study Method Vessel, eye height # surveys abundance CV water water water water and SD 7 direct 6.8 Inia 1 Leatherwood Inia not count, route unspecified 10 x 0.1 x not presented (1996) 15 presented unspecified Sotalia1 Sotalia 9.2 Inia direct Delfín 7 m; 11.6 7.7 9.7 Inia 5.5 Inia (± 7.24 SD) McGuire count, Miron 3.5 m; Inia Inia s 0.79 Inia 23 2 0.3 (this paper) midline, skiff 2.5 2.9 1.61 Sotalia Sotalia Sotalia 1.9 Sotalia loop Sotalia Sotalia (± 3.06 SD) The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The

* Henningsen surveyed this lake, but does not present specific details. Encounter rates of 0.3 Inia/km and 0.1 Sotalia/km were reported for all lakes sampled in the Samiria System. 1= Averaged from 9 surveys that Leatherwood (1996) classified as “ medium high water” and “medium-medium low water”, but I reclassified them as “falling water” to make them consistent with my classification of season. [ 81] Chapter 1 [ 82] Chapter 1 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The Table 17. Best available estimates of river dolphins from surveys in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, by season and water body, averaged from all surveys 1996-2000. Counts from lakes are direct counts, and counts from rivers are encounter rates per km, multiplied by total km surveyed.

Lake Samiria Tipishca Samiria Marañón Yanayaquillo Lake Atun Atun Yanayacu Pucate Season San River del River Total River River Cocha Caño River River Pablo (Sect. 1) Samiria (Sect. 2). 288.0 km Distance or 82.0 km 5.5 km 15.0 km2 6.0 km2 16.0 km 14.6 km2 163.0 km 5.0 km 10.7 km 5.8 km and area surveyed 35.6 km2 # Inia High water 20 2 17 10 10 46 62 1 3 1 172 Falling water 38 3 7 8 12 58 96 1 0 2 224 Low water 35 3 1 6 57 54 88 1 21 2 266 Rising water 11 2 14 12 3 49 55 2 14 4 166 Mean # Inia 26 2 11 9 21 52 75 1 10 2 207 High water 39 0 13 2 11 25 39 0 4 1 134 Falling water 34 0 3 3 2 22 75 2 0 1142 Low water 39 0 0 0 2 20 68 0 3 0133 Rising water 24 2 9 3 13 32 51 1 5 2 140 Mean # 34 1 7 2 6 26 58 1 3 1138 Sotalia

Table 18. Necropsies of dead dolphins in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, 1996-2000.

Total length Date Location Species Sex * (cm) snout to Comments notch of tail

28-October-96 San Pablo de Tipishca Inia geoffrensis U 230.00 A

28-October-96 San Pablo de Tipishca Inia geoffrensis U 217.05 A

28-October-96 San Pablo de Tipishca Inia geoffrensis UX A

29-October-96 San Pablo de Tipishca Inia geoffrensis U 232.50 A

29-October-96 San Pablo de Tipishca Inia geoffrensis UX A The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The 29-October-96 San Pablo de Tipishca Inia geoffrensis UX A

21-January-97 San Pablo de Tipishca Inia geoffrensis M 193.04 B

13-August-97 Tipishca del Samiria Inia geoffrensis F 82.50 C

5-December-98 Tipishca del Samiria Inia geoffrensis M 185.00 D

20-February-00 Samiria River-PV2 Sotalia fluviatilis F 176.00 E

12-September-00 Samiria River-PV3 Inia geoffrensis UX F

*F= female, M=male, U=undetermined. X indicates body too decomposed to measure total length. [ 83] Chapter 1 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Comments A: Sex was not determined as the Leatherwood (1996) reported that fetal folds in Ranger Sangama. There were large air bubbles meters of PV3, and along part of the rangers’ abdominal cavities had been partially eaten by river dolphins persist two months, but did not in the lung membranes. Stomach contents daily patrol route; however, the rangers said fish and were decomposing. The teeth of all cite the source of this information. In Brazil, consisted of the remains of one armored catfish they had not known of the dead animal. It was animals (with heads) were in good condition, body length of Inia calves at birth ranged from (Pterygoplichthys spp) with a 2.5-cm long head. in a stage of advanced decomposition, and may and none were worn or broken. External 66-81 cm (Best and da Silva 1993). At 82.5-cm Two of the 106 teeth were broken. At 176 cm, have been dead at least a week. The skin had examination of the dolphins did not reveal total body length, this dolphin’s teeth had not this dolphin is the longest freshwater Sotalia several small (<2 cm) puncture marks, which bullet holes, machete scars, puncture wounds yet erupted but were visible just below the gums. on record. In the Brazilian Amazon, da Silva appeared to have been made with the tip of a (from harpoon or spear), or net scars, although The smallest calf documented with erupted (1994) found maximum total lengths of 152 very sharp knife (I was able to duplicate these there were several small irregularly shaped holes teeth was 123-cm long; another calf 125.5-cm cm for female Sotalia, and 149 cm for males. marks with my fillet knife). The skin from the (about 3-cm diameter) that appeared to have long did not have teeth; and it is believed that The worn teeth together with the large size front half of the body and head was cleanly cut been made by feeding vultures. Local people Inia teeth erupt during the first year (Vera da suggest that this was an older individual. I was in straight lines. The reproductive organs were reported that dolphins had been intentionally Silva personal communication). The stomach not permitted to collect teeth. missing, and were either eaten by scavengers or poisoned with “folidol” (see interview section, was empty, although there was excrement in removed by humans. There were rope marks this chapter). the anal slit. The excrement lacked fish scales Comments F: The skull and the front half of around the tail stock. Cause of death could or bones, and suggested a milk diet. Cause the body, except for the skin, were missing. not be determined. The dolphin may have been Comments B: Teeth were in good condition, of death could not be determined, although The body was found floating in shallow (<1 encountered dead and dragged to a beach with a and none were worn or broken. Cause of death strong blows and/or drowning are suggested. m) almost stagnant water, and it seems likely rope for harvesting of the skull and reproductive was not determined. that the skull would have been encountered organs, or perhaps was intentionally killed for Comments D: This Inia was found floating if it had been near the body. The channel in these products. Comments C: This animal was discovered by in shallow water, about 3 m from shore at which it was found was within a few hundred a film crew in the Tipishca del Samiria while the western end of Tipishca del Samiria. the research team and vessel were elsewhere in Cause of death could not be determined. The the lake. Ralf Brier (personal communication) teeth were in good condition, and none were reported that he noticed the carcass floating worn or broken. Cause of death could not be in the water, and brought it aboard his skiff. determined. A survey was conducted here two An adult dolphin he assumed to be the mother days before the discovery of the animal, and the was nearby and became “agitated” (i.e.; dead dolphin was not detected at that time. snorting, leaping) as the calf was brought into the skiff. The skiff then brought the carcass Comments E: Encountered snagged in a to the research vessel for examination by the fallen tree in the Samiria River, about 100-m researcher and team. Pockets of air were in the downriver of ranger station PV2. The ranger on lung membranes and peritoneal lining, and the duty reported that the dead dolphin had been skin had a crackling sound and feel just below discovered 4 days earlier by a group of students the surface when touched. There were dark that were visiting the ranger station (G.P. blood spots and pools in the lungs, and dark Quarto Sangama, personal communication.). purple bruises around head (under the gray The students had found the dolphin in Atun outer layer of skin). There were pronounced Caño, dead and tangled in a net used for longitudinal fetal folds, especially along the illegally capturing aquatic turtles. The students rear half of the body. The duration of fetal brought the dead dolphin back to the ranger folds in Inia is unknown. In Brazil, one Inia station, where they put it back in the water calf 122-cm long was reported with fetal folds, still tangled in the net, and did not necropsy and one 156-cm calf was seen without fetal it. Four days later McGuire (2002) retrieved folds (Vera da Silva, personal communication.). the body and examined it, with assistance from Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 84 ] [ 85 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

1.4. Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis: A brief review of the ecology and conservation status of river dolphins in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Víctor Utreras B.1, Esteban Suárez R. & Salime Jalil2

(1) Wildlife Conservation Society – Ecuador Program, Eloy Alfaro N 37 – 224 y Coremo. P.O. Box 17-21-168. Quito – Ecuador - [email protected] - [email protected] (2) Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontiificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Avenida 12 de Octubre, 1076 y Roca. P.O. Box 17-01-2184. Quito-Ecuador - [email protected]

Abstract

The river dolphins Inia geoffrensis (boto) and populations of river dolphins and their habitats. Sotalia fluviatilis (tucuxi), are critical species in In countries such as Ecuador, these threats are the aquatic ecosystems of the Amazon River compounded by the lack of coordination and Basin, not only as top predators, but also as priorization of conservation initiatives. As a significant elements of the cultures and traditions first attempt at identifying critical gaps in our of many indigenous groups throughout the knowledge about river dolphins in Ecuador, Basin. However, both species are threatened by this paper presents a review of the main studies the intensification of several human activities that have been carried out with these species in

Chapter 1 with direct and indirect impacts on the the country. Chapter 1 [ 86 ] [ 87 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Keywords: Inia geoffrensis geoffrensis, Sotalia somam a falta de coordenação ou priorização populations of Amazon River dolphins in its distribution in the Amazon River Basin. fluviatilis, ecology, conservation, Amazon, dos esforços de conservação. Como um Ecuador. Since emphasis has been put in The physiognomy of the upper reaches of these Ecuador primeiro passo para identificar lacunas básicas identifying critical gaps in our understanding Ecuadorian rivers, suggest that the western nas informações sobre golfinhos amazônicos of the ecology of and tucuxi in this distributional limits of this species might be no Equador, este artigo apresenta uma revisão part of their distributional range, for further determined by the reduction in river depth, as Resumen dos resultados dos principais estudos que foram details the readers are directed to the original well as the presence of large rocks, waterfalls, feitos no país sobre estas espécies. bibliographical sources from which information and fast flowing waters where these rivers leave Los delfines de río Inia geoffrensis (boto) y was extracted. the foothills of the Andes. Sotalia fluviatilis (tucuxi), son especies de alta importancia para los ecosistemas acuáticos Introduction In relation to its past and current distribution, de la cuenca amazónica, no solo por su gran Distribution anecdotal information and informal interviews importancia ecológica, sino también por su Throughout their distributional range, the with local people suggest that botos in Ecuador papel preponderante en la cultura y tradiciones Amazon River dolphins, boto (Inia geoffrensis) Inia geoffrensis geoffrensis. The botoInia ( might be retreating towards the East, being de muchos grupos indígenas de la cuenca. Sin and tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis), are critical geoffrensis), known in Ecuador as bufeo or uncommon in areas such as the upper reaches embargo, la conservación de ambas especies species for the functioning and conservation pink river dolphin, is widely distributed in the of the Coca, Payamino, and Tiputini rivers. está amenazada por la intensificación de of the aquatic ecosystems of this region, not main rivers and some lacustrine systems in Although it has not been tested so far, it is diversas actividades humanas que afectan only because of their essential ecological role Amazonian Ecuador, at altitudes below 300 probable that this retreat might result from directa o indirectamente a sus poblaciones o a as top predators, but also as emblematic species m (Utreras 1996, Utreras 2001a, Utreras et al. water pollution, acoustic pollution, and other sus hábitats. En países como el Ecuador, a estas for many indigenous groups from the Amazon 2001a, Tirira 2007). The first official record forms of habitat degradation that are common amenazas se suman la falta de coordinación y River Basin. Despite their importance, both of this species in Ecuador dates from the mid- in the more populated western reaches of he priorización de los esfuerzos de conservación. species are experiencing severe threats associated nineteen century, when the Italian naturalist Basin, near the base of the Andes. Como un primer paso para identificar vacíos with the expansion and intensification of Osculati found botos in the Payamino River, básicos en la información sobre los delfines human activities in the region, and there are near its confluence with the Napo River Local names: Shuar and Achuar (Apup); Cofán amazónicos en el Ecuador, este artículo presenta many aspects about the biology and ecology (Herrman et al. 1996). Afterwards, during the (Fanjan, Ga´tzuri); Wao-Tededo (Yeyekeo); una revisión de los resultados de los principales of these animals that remain unexplored. twentieth century, botos were reported in all Siona-Secoya (Wiwi) (Tirira 2004). estudios que se han hecho en el país sobre estas Under these circumstances, renewed efforts the main Ecuadorian rivers that drain into the especies. are needed in order to generate consistent Amazon, including the Napo, Pastaza, Tigre, information about the ecological requirements and Santiago rivers (Best & Da Silva 1993, Abundance of these species throughout their distributional Trujillo & Diazgranados 2002). To date, the Resumo range, and their response to anthropogenic only important Ecuadorian river system where Our knowledge about the status of boto and natural disturbances, as the basis for the botos have not been recorded is the Morona populations in Ecuador is clearly biased Os golfinhos de rio Inia geoffrensis (boto) design and implementation of relevant regional River (Utreras 1996, Utreras 2001a, Utreras et towards the northern Ecuadorian Amazon, e Sotalia fluviatilis (tucuxi) são espécies de conservation strategies at the regional level. al. 2001a, Tirira 2007, Figure 7); however, the particularly along the Cuyabeno, Lagartococha, grande valor para os ecossistemas aquáticos da species is present in all the other Amazonian Tiputini and Yasuní river systems (Utreras bacia amazônica, não apenas pela importância In the case of Ecuador, research and watersheds in Ecuador, including the nearby 1996, 2001b, Denkinger 2001, Jalil et al. in ecológica que têm, como também pelo papel conservation efforts devoted to river dolphins Santiago River watershed, suggesting that this prep.). Compared to large river systems such preponderante que apresentam na cultura e and their habitats have been disperse and might be due to lack of systematic sampling or as the Caquetá, Napo, and Marañón rivers, tradições de muitos grupos indígenas da bacia. discontinuous. Furthermore, the country still reporting. these Ecuadorian rivers are relatively small Contudo, a conservação de ambas espécies lacks any form of strategy that could promote (~30 to 40 m wide), and sampling dolphins está ameaçada pela intensificação de diversas research and management agendas oriented Together with some records from rivers in Peru, along them requires special methodological atividades humanas que afetam direta ou to ensure the long-term conservation of these the sightings of botos in the San Miguel, Coca, considerations, including counting along indiretamente suas populações e seus habitats. species. In this context, the following pages Payamino and Santiago rivers, constitute the strip-transects (Trujillo 1992, Vidal et al. Em países como o Equador, a estas ameaças se present a review of what is known about the westernmost records of this species throughout 1997, Trujillo & Diazgranados 2002). Using Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 88 ] [ 89 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

1 Putumayo 8 Lagartococha 15 Pariayacu 22 Curacay these methodologies, previous research in the 2000, Trujillo & Diazgranados 2002). Water 2 San Miguel 9 Yanayacu 16 Tivacuno 23 Conambo northern Ecuadorian Amazon has reported level during the dry season, for example, could 3 Güeppí 10 Cocaya 17 Tipulini 24 Pastaza * relative abundances of botos ranging from 0.3 influence the spatial distribution of fish stocks, ECUADOR 4 Aguarico * 11 Coca 18 Yasuni 25 Capahuari to 4.7 dolphins/10 km. Variation among these conditioning the movement and habitat use 5 Cuyabeno 12 Payamino 19 Nashiño 26 Ishpingo estimates is considerable, and no clear trend has patterns of dolphins as they search for food. 6 Sábalo 13 Napo * 20 Shiripuno 27 Bobonaza 7 Pacayacu 14 Indillama 21 Cononaco 28 Santiago * been observed in relative abundances of botos Support for this hypothesis has been found in black water and white water systems (Table in the Cuyabeno system (Denkinger 2001), * Principal rivers 19). where botos were found to prefer lagoons during the rainy season, and moved away Other factors that apparently influence I. to the river channels during the dry season, geoffrensis abundance is the complexity of the as water levels dropped in the lagoons. A river- complexes and in particular the similar but much weaker pattern was found in presence of productive river-lagoon confluences Lagartococha (Utreras 1996), where number (Trujillo 2000). Previous studies in Ecuador of boto sightings during the rainy season was provide indirect support to this hypothesis, as relatively similar between river channels and the dynamic and heterogeneous lagoon-river lagoon-river confluences, whereas, during the complex of Lagartococha exhibited boto relative dry season, roughly two thirds of the sightings abundances that sometimes were more than ten corresponded to the confluence between the times higher than those in the uniform channel rivers and the lagoons. In both systems, the of the Tiputini River (Utreras 1996, 2001b, river channels exhibited less seasonal variation Denkinger 2001: Table 19). However, as can be in water levels than lagoon bodies, where water noted here, these studies have not been able to levels dropped by almost 4m during the dry discern between the potential effects of water season (Utreras 1996). chemistry and habitat complexity on dolphin abundances, a line of research that deserves Many rivers of the northern Ecuadorian Amazon further attention. (i.e. Cuyabeno, Lagartococha, Tiputini, and Yasuní) exhibit strong fluctuations in water Regarding seasonal patterns in boto abundance, level, which cannot be easily predicted solely in none of the studies that included seasonal terms of local rainfall patterns, or seasonality. estimates, reported considerable differences These fluctuations result in the presence of between rainy and dry season estimates (Table large tracts of temporally flooded forests, which 19). represent critical habitat for botos. Despite Rivers the potential importance of this relationship, International border to date little is known about the extent and Habitat use persistence of floods along these forests, and N about their impact on fish and boto distribution Even though the majority of studies in and habitat use. Ecuadorian populations of I. geoffrensis have Scale 1:2,000,000 not shown clear seasonal trends in relative abundance of dolphins, there are several lines Mortality of evidence suggesting that seasonality might be a very important factor in determining The only information about boto mortality habitat use patterns of this species (Trujillo that is available comes from incidental records Chapter 1

Figure 7. Geographical distribution of boto (Inia geoffrensis geoffrensis) in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Chapter 1 [ 90 ] [ 91 ] [ 92] Chapter 1 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The Table 19. Estimates of boto (Inia geoffrensis) relative abundances in rivers or lagoon systems in the northern Ecuadorian Amazon.

Mean Density Transect River Season number of Effort (n) Year Source length (km) sightings Dolphins/10km

Low waters 7.7 ± 0.3 20 53 (transect runs) 3.8 1994-1995 Utreras 1996 Lagartococha High 8.8 ± 0.5 20 65 (transect runs) 4.4 1994 Utreras 1996 waters Low waters 2.7 1996-1997 Denkinger 2001 Lagartococha High 2.1 1996-1997 Denkinger 2001 waters Low waters 3.2 2007-2008 Jalil et al. in prep. Lagartococha High 3.0 2007 Jalil et al. in prep. waters

Low waters 4.7 1996-1997 Denkinger 2001 Cuyabeno High 0.4 1996-1997 Denkinger 2001 waters Eight (monthly Tiputini Low waters 3.5 ± 1.0 209 estimates along 0.3 2001 Utreras 2001 transect) Four (monthly Low Yasuní 21 ± 9.7 70 estimates along 3.0 2001 Utreras 2001 Waters transect)

Low waters 0.8 2007-2008 Jalil et al. in prep. Yasuní High 0.9 2007 Jalil et al. in prep. waters than two (~24%) or three individuals (~18%); individuals (~24%) three two or than more no of groups small or sightings), Cuyabeno the of and (~30% individuals single Lagartococha to correspond rivers in botos of records of majority vast The behavior: Social of more 150travel distances that km. with identified photographs, it shownwas that some botos can individuals of on observations Based systems. lagoon Lagartococha this and that suggesting km, population moved 50 freely between the Cuyabeno that more of long displacements occasional and 20km, than frequent short-term exhibited movementsdispersal of system less Cuyabeno the in geoffrensis away. moved that reported (2001) they Denkinger Similarly, which after days, three than moreno forlocation single a in observed usually were 250cm) (> adults large contrary, the Onyear. throughout the area same the use and stay to tended 180cm)newborns by accompanied (> individuals adult and length), 180cm in and 100 in (between study dolphins that juvenile year reported (1996) two Utreras a Lagartococha, on Based Dispersal: Biology killings).the (11% of machetes or guns with fishermen by which killing and fishing, killings, the of 22% for for accounted dynamite of use the was (44% killings).Followingof importance the in the rivers Cuyabeno and along Aguarico, Lagartococha, posts army in personnel military by rifles with hunting was mortality of cause main a the records, in these (12 Among event). single individuals 22 of total mortality, a dolphininvolving river of we records period ten have this From Amazon. Ecuadorian northern the throughout locations several in work of years 17 during made been have that The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The I. S. fluviatilis of S. individuals sympatric to assigned usually were of recordings former as doubted previously was that fact a behavior, traveling and feeding, communication, their of part as that study confirmed This boto. of populations Ecuadorian among whistling frequency high of acoustics the analyzed has that study only presented the Acoustic Utreras in (1996).event described detail is in The ended. study this of fieldwork months, the six when least at for area the in observed consistently were cub her and boto female the levels in the lagoon werebirth, After very high. during the peak of the rainy 1994,season, when June water in Lagoon Delfincocha in boto a of birth the described(1996), whoUtreras by done was Ecuador Amazonian in geoffrensis I. Births: The onlydirect report of aevent birth of al et 2001, ofbotos (Denkinger 2001b,Utreras Jalil 40 to 46% of the records corresponded to pairs and individuals sightings the 41%of to single 37 for accounted where rivers, Yasuní and results have 2001). beenSimilar found in the Tiputini Denkinger, rarely 1986; were (Utreras, individuals observed 10 to up of groups other hand, the intensification of oil industry industry oil of intensification the hand, the other On taken. be can measures remediation or mitigation before rivers and streams in up end- inevitably almost and frequent are wells oil from waterpolluted and crude of spills the are Ecuador its northernin region. Onespecially one hand, industry, oil of Amazonian expansion the with associated to aquatic in and botos ecosystems to threats main The Threats . in prep.).. in MyClao Wrzk (2007) Wartzok & May-Collado : . produced whistles whistles produced geoffrensis I. geoffrensis I. [ 93] Chapter 1 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

also results in large socio-economic changes, in more controlled situations the impacts of intended to involve local communities in the recent review of the distribution of this species increased colonization along new roads, and human activities on boto populations. conservation of the species. (Zapata-Ríos & Utreras 2004), included intensification of boat traffic along rivers. records from the Putumayo and Guepí rivers, Altogether, these changes increase pressure In the case of the northern Ecuadorian near the Ecuador-Colombia border, as well on boto populations, not only in the form of Amazon and, more specifically, the Napo River Conservation initiatives as from the Panayacu, Tiputini, and Yasuní acoustic, organic, and chemical pollution of watershed, a new threat is imminent as the watersheds. In the southern Ecuadorian water bodies, but also by increasing the potential Ecuadorian and Brazilian governments develop Although the management of Ecuadorian Amazon, this review added records from the for human-boto conflicts in the fishing grounds the plans for the implementation of the Manta- protected areas is still incipient and needs to Pastaza River and from several tributaries of that develop along new colonization fronts Manaus transportation corridor. This project, be strengthened, the presence of the Cuyabeno the Morona River, including the Mangosiza, (Utreras et al. 2001a). intended to create a direct commerce route Wildlife Production Reserve and the Yasuní Cushuimi, Cangaime, Makuma and Wichimi between the Ecuadorian seaport of Manta, National Park offer important alternatives for rivers (Figure 8). As noted in earlier sections, the impacts of in the Pacific Ocean coast, and the Brazilian the conservation of botos, as both protected human-boto conflict are evident in the direct city of Manaos, includes plans to dredge the areas include large representations of critical Very little information exists about the records of boto mortality in fishing nets, or Napo River, making it accessible for large habitat for this species. Precisely in these areas, abundance or population size of this species in in hunting events, many of them intended to cargo vessels. Both, the dredging of the river local and foreign scientists started generating Ecuador. Jalil et al. (in prep.) reported relative extract body parts that are used as aphrodisiacs, and intensification of boat traffic, with the basic information on the ecology and abundance estimates of tucuxi ranging between or as ingredients in traditional medicine. incorporation of large barges, will surely affect conservation status of Ecuadorian populations 0.13 and 0.16 indivduals/10 km, along the However, our understanding of the indirect boto populations, not only long the Ecuadorian of boto (Utreras 1996, Denkinger 2001; Jalil Yasuní River. Regarding their social behavior, effects of increasing human populations on course of the Napo, but also as this river flows et al. in prep.), generating local interest in the Zapata-Ríos & Utreras (2004), reported that boto populations is less clear. On a recent into Peru. species through education campaigns for local the majority of the records of tucuxi corresponds study, Jalil et al. (in prep.) made extensive people and tourists. Despite these initiatives, to couples (53.5% of the sightings), or groups surveys of botos along a human disturbance Ecuador still lacks a coherent national plan of three individuals (17.8%). Solitary animals, gradient in the Yasuní River, starting in a Legal status or strategy for the conservation of botos. The as well as groups of four or five individuals, growing Kichwa community in the border of development of such strategy is imperative, and each accounted for 7.1% of the sightings, the Yasuní National Park. In this study, the According to the Red Book of Ecuadorian will be a critical step in terms of developing the whereas larger groups with 7 or 10 individuals average relative abundance of botos was almost Mammals (Tirira 2001), I. geoffrensis is an education, research, and conservation initiatives were seldom observed (3.5% of the sightings two times higher in the more disturbed area of Endangered Species under C2a(i) criteria that should ensure the long-term persistence of respectively). the river, in the surroundings of the Kichwa (Utreras et al. 2001a), implying that their local I. geoffrensis in this region. community, than in the relatively undisturbed population size is estimated to be less than The threats that S. fluviatilis are facing are area, more than 30 km upstream. In this study, 2500, and showing a decreasing population Sotalia fluviatilis. Local names: Cofán (bo´to); basically the same described in earlier sections the higher abundances of boto in the more trend (UICN 2001). Under these conditions, Wao-Tededo (uhuada); Siona-Secoya (oko wi) for I. geoffrensis. However, because of their disturbed area might be due to the fact that Ecuadorian regulations prohibit the capture, (Tirira 2004). Throughout the Ecuadorian smaller populations, it is likely that this species this area is also very near the confluence of two hunting, trade, and transportation of botos Amazon, the tucuxi (locally know as bufeo or will be more susceptible to the habitat changes lagoon systems (Tambococha and Jatuncocha) (dead, alive, or in parts). However, the delfín cenizo) is an elusive species, characterized that are occurring throughout the region and the large the Napo River; as noted earlier, institutional weakness in the Ministry of the by a discontinuous distribution and sporadic (Utreras et al. 2001b). In terms of its legal status, previous studies have suggested that confluence Environment, as well as the lack of knowledge of records (Utreras 1996, Utreras 2001a, Utreras the tucuxi is also considered an Endangered areas might be preferred habitat for botos. From environmental laws among local communities, et al. 2001b, Zapata-Ríos & Utreras 2004). Species under C2a(i) criteria (Tirira 2001, this perspective, this study suggests that, under means that effective control is almost absent. Only present at altitudes under 300 m, the Utreras et al. 2001b). certain circumstances, the negative impacts of Much needs to be done in terms of reducing tucuxi has been recorded in the Napo, Coca, human settlements might be counterbalanced the threats that Ecuadorian boto populations Pastaza, and Bobonaza rivers (Borobia et al. by the presence of good quality habitat, or are facing, including the generation of better 1991, Da Silva & Best 1996), and also in the Conclusion abundant food resources in productive areas. information on the extent of these threats Cuyabeno River, near its confluence with Clearly, additional studies are needed to assess and their impacts, and education campaigns the Aguarico River (Herman et al. 1996). A Current knowledge about the populations of Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 94 ] [ 95 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

botos and tucuxii in Ecuador is scarce. Beyond new professionals are trained, specific studies specific reports about the abundance and should be promoted, oriented towards filling patterns of habitat use of these species in the the main research gaps that have been identified Northern Ecuadorian Amazon, little is known in this paper and elsewhere. Extensive regional about their ecology, population status, and cooperation will be needed in order to fulfill their distribution in the southern watersheds these objectives. a of eastern Ecuador. Although the causes for 1 Putumayo Sotalia records this lack of information are diverse, one of the Acknowledgements 1 2 Güeppi Rivers most important is the shortage of qualified 0˚ researchers interested in these species, as The authors want to acknowledge contributions 2 3 Cuyabeno International border 3 well as the absence of research resources and and help from Gioconda Remache, Galo 4 Aguarico 5 4 programs oriented towards Amazonian aquatic Zapata-Ríos, Javier Torres, Rubén Cueva, and 5 Pañayacu 6 N ecosystems in Ecuador. Diego Tirira, who collaborated with different 7 6 Napo aspects related to this paper. Our appreciation 7 Tiputini In the near future, considerable advances could also to Walter Prado, Efrén Tenorio, and 8 Yasuní be made towards improving the knowledge and Edison Molina for their logistical support 1˚ 8 77˚ a conservation of Ecuadorian river dolphins, by during fieldwork related to this paper and to 0˚ drafting a research and conservation agenda, the Ministry of the Environment for issuing 77˚ 76˚ ECUADOR with emphasis in the acquisition of research research permits and for logistical support 05 0 100 Km funds, and the construction of local capacity, during our work in the Cuyabeno Wildlife

Scale 1:1.000.000 and training of young professionals with Reserve and the Yasuní National Park. interest in these species or their habitats. Once

2˚ b

1

5 1 Pastaza 3 6 2 2 Mangosiza 4 3 Cushimi a Napo River Basin 7 b Morona River Basin 3˚ 4 Cangaime 5 Makuma 6 Wichimi 7 Morona 78˚ 77˚ b Galo Zapata-Ríos, 2003

Figure 8. Geographical distribution of tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) in the Ecuadorian Amazon (from Zapata-Ríos & Utreras 2004). Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 96 ] [ 97 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

1.5. Distribution and conservation status of the Bolivian river dolphin Inia boliviensis (d’Orbigny 1832)

Gabriela Tavera ¹, Enzo Aliaga-Rossel 2, Paul A. Van Damme ¹ & Alvaro Crespo

(1) Asociación FAUNAGUA, Sacaba-Cochabamba, Bolivia - [email protected], [email protected] (2) University of Hawaii, EECB Program, USA and Institute of ecology, Bolivia - [email protected],

Abstract

The present paper reviews available information Bolivian-Brazilian border. Within Bolivia, its on the Bolivian river dolphin (Inia boliviensis), distribution range is limited by three additional formerly considered a subspecies of I. geographical barriers: rapids in the Beni river, geoffrensis, but which recently was recognized close to the town of Cachuela Esperanza, the as a different species, based on genetic and Chiquitano mountains of the Precambrian morphometric studies. The two species within Shield in the northeast and the elevation in the genus Inia are separated by the Madera the piedemonte and subandean region in the

Chapter 1 rapids, situated downstream and along the southwest. The paper presents a summary of Chapter 1 [ 98 ] [ 99 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

available distribution and abundance data. Inia la misma son contaminación con mercurio, America. Inia geoffrensis, which is present in example, Best & da Silva 1993, Martin & da boliviensis is considered to be more vulnerable mortandad en redes de pesca, navegación y the Amazon River and its main tributaries, is Silva 2004a, 2004b). than I. geoffrensis, due to low genetic variability, degradación general del hábitat acuático. La considered Data Deficient by IUCN (2010), a low total population size and low genetic construcción de represas hidroeléctricas en el decision that was motivated by the absence of interaction between local populations, among río Madera y en el río Beni podría representar adequate information on its distribution and/or Taxonomic status other factors. However, at present the species la principal amenaza en el futuro próximo. population status to make an assessment of its is still well conserved, main current threats risk of extinction. The genus Inia belongs to the order being mercury contamination, commercial , suborder Odontoceti, superfamily fisheries nets, boat traffic and general habitat Resumo During several years, the differences between Platanistoidea, and family Iniidae. The genus degradation. Planned hydroelectric dam the central Amazon populations and the was described in 1834 by the naturalist Alcide construction in the Madera and Beni rivers O presente documento sistematiza a informação dolphins that inhabit the Bolivian rivers have D’orbigny, who observed freshwater dolphins may impose the main threat on the species in disponível do golfinho de rio Boliviano Inia been in discussion (see Pilleri & Gihr 1977, in the Bolivian Amazon. In 1855, Gervais the future. boliviensis. Este golfinho foi considerado uma Aliaga-Rossel et al. 2006). However, after transferred the species at that time known as subespécie de Inia geoffresis e só ate 2008 foi having been officially considered for more than Delphinus geoffrensis (de Blainville 1817) to the reconhecida como uma espécie diferente 140 years as a subspecies of I. geoffrensis, the genus Inia. From then on, all river dolphins from Resumen baseada nos estudos genéticos e morfométricos Bolivian river dolphin was recently proposed as southamerica were considered to belong to one da mesma. As duas espécies dentro do gênero a separate species (Inia boliviensis) (Hamilton and the same species, Inia geoffrensis,with three El presente documento sistematiza la Inia ficam separadas pelos caudais do Rio et al. 2001, Banguera-Hinestroza et al. 2002, subspecies, I. geoffrensis humboldtiana, present información disponible sobre el delfín de río Madeira cujas partes altas ficam na fronteira Martínez-Agüero et al. 2006, Ruiz-García et in the Orinoco River Basin, I. g. geoffrensis, in boliviano (Inia boliviensis), la cual hasta hace Bolívia- Brazil. Dentro da Bolívia sua al. 2008). This recognition by the scientific the Amazon River Basin, and I. g. boliviensis, in poco era considerada como una subespecie de distribuição é limitada pelas barreiras geográfica community of course adds new conservation the Bolivian Amazon (Best & da Silva 1993). I. geoffrensis, ha sido reconocida recientemente adicionais como os caudais do Rio Beni perto value to the species. Moreover, the fact that this como especie diferente, basada en estudios da localidade de Cachuela Esperanza, as species is confined mostly to Bolivian territory During the last century, the number of species genéticos y morfométricos. Las dos especies primeiras derivações montanhosas dos Andes makes conservation actions at the national within this genus has been in discussion (see dentro del género Inia se encuentran separadas no sudeste da bacia amazônica e as serranias level more relevant. However, relatively little review by Aliaga-Rossel & McGuire 2010). por las cachuelas del rio Madera, cuyos tramos do escudo precambrico no sudeste da mesma. information on the species is available, limiting Pilleri & Gihr (1977) were the first to propose altos representan el límite entre Bolivia y Brazil. O baixo numero relativo de indivíduos, a the development of a conservation strategy. the distinction of two species within the Dentro de Bolivia, su distribución es limitada baixa variabilidade genética e a baixa taxa de genus Inia: they considered the river dolphins por barreras geográficas adicionales, como son intercambio genético entre as populações locais In Bolivia, the local common name for I. encountered in the central Amazon as Inia las cachuelas del rio Beni, cerca a la localidad de incrementam sua vulnerabilidade. A espécie boliviensis is “bufeo”. The indigenous people geoffrensis and the ones observed in Bolivian Cachuela Esperanza, las primeros estribaciones fica bem conservada e as principais ameaças Guarayos used the name “Inia” for bufeos territory as Inia boliviensis. This distinction was montañosas del Andes en el suroeste de la identificadas são a contaminação com mercúrio, (and this name was adopted for the genus based on morphological and morphometric cuenca amazonica y las serranías chiquitanas morte nas redes pesqueiras, navegação e by d’Orbigny (1834), but this name is not differences based on few individuals deposited del Escudo Precámbrico en el sureste de la degradação do habitat aquático. A construção commonly used in Bolivia. in museum collections. According to these misma cuenca. Se presenta la información de represas hidroelétricas no Rio Madeira e no authors, the Bolivian dolphins had a longer disponible sobre la distribución de la especie Rio Beni podem representar a principal ameaça The present paper is a revision of the available rostrum, higher number of teeth, and a y se discuten los factores que influyen en su no futuro próximo. information on the species in Bolivia and braincase with a smaller volume. abundancia. El relativamente bajo número de presents some new data on distribution individuos, baja variabilidad genética y baja patterns and abundance. Most information on The evidence presented by Pilleri & Gihr tasa de intercambio genético entre poblaciones Introduction I. boliviensis is of a descriptive nature (Pilleri (1977) was met with skepticism by the locales aumentan su vulnerabilidad. La especie 1969, Pilleri & Gihr 1977), knowledge of its scientific community due to the small sample se encuentra relativamente bien conservada, Inia is the only dolphin genus that is strictly biology being mostly based on research of size used. The Bolivian river dolphin continued y las principales amenazas identificadas para restricted to continental waters of South I. geoffrensis in the Brazilian Amazon (for to be considered by most as a subspecies of I. Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 100 ] [ 101 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

geoffrensis (I. g. boliviensis); however, between corpulent and heavy, but extremely flexible, individuals (16 males and 11 females) captured sampling of adult males. Probably, I. boliviensis 1969 and 2007, the possible validity of Inia capable of bending and twisting (Best & da in the Bolivian Amazon. Mean total male males are larger and heavier than the females, boliviensis kept on being discussed in many Silva 1993, Aliaga-Rossel & McGuire, 2010). length was 193.8 (± 9.2) cm, whereas females the same as was reported for Inia geoffrensis publications (Van Bree & Rabineau 1973, Best Morphological adaptations, such as free were generally larger (total length of 202.2 ± (Martin & Da Silva 2006). Further differences & Da Silva 1993, Banguera- Hinestroza et al. cervical vertebrae, the very motile pectoral 14.8 cm). However, it is supposed that these between the two species are provided in Table 2002). fins and an echolocation system allow the size differences are an artifact of inefficient 20. dolphins to enter the floodplains to catch fish. The hypothesis of two valid species within the They present a pronounced , have a long genus Inia was resolved with molecular and snout with short bristles on the top, the eyes Table 20. and morphometric differences betweenI. geoffrensisand I. boliviensis. Measurements genetic studies. Analysis of the mitochondrial are small; the teeth are heterodontous (different of I. geoffrensis from the Orinoco River Basin are not included. DNA, the mitochondrial cytochrome b types of teeth). The pectoral and caudal flippers gene, and nuclear intron sequences showed are big and the dorsal fin is very low; they have Inia geoffrensis Inia boliviensis Source a wide range of differences between the an internal ear that it is localized behind the Bolivian dolphins and the dolphins of the inferior jaw (Best & da Silva 1993). _>_ _>_ Da Silva 1994 central Amazon. Hamilton et al. (2001) and Sexual dimorphism _>_ _>_ Ruiz-García et al. 2006 Banguera-Hinestroza et al. (2002) presented The rostrum is long and is covered both dorsally the first molecular evidence, and additional and ventrally with numerous bristles, especially _2740 - Layne 1958 morphometric (Ruiz-García et al. 2006) and in the juveniles. Behind the head the body - _2160 Pilleri & Gihr 1977 genetic (Ruiz-García et al. 2007, Ruiz-García becomes rapidly thicker and passes without et al. 2008) analyses confirmed the presence of any sign of neck into the powerful trunk. The _1927 (1830–2050) Best & Da Silva (1993) the two different species within the genus. cranium appears long and narrow, the nares are _2071.6 (2000 – 2150) _2160 (1865–2550) Da Silva 1994 longitudinally oval. The single nasal opening is According to Ruiz-García et al. (2007), the Inia about 1 to 1 ½ times as long as it is wide (Pilleri Total length (mm)† _2550 _1800 (1600 – 1980) Best & Da Silva 1993 boliviensis population is the result of a founder & Gihr, 1977). effect that occurred between 5 and 6 million _ 2146 + 130.6 _2022 + 148.2 Ruiz-García et al. 2006 years ago, at the time when the rapids along Pilleri & Gihr (1977) described the _2030 + 249.3 * _1937.7 + 91.5 * Ruiz-García et al. 2006 a 400 km stretch in the high Madera and the morphological characteristics which distinguish lower Mamoré and Beni rivers were formed. Inia boliviensis from I. geoffrensis. According to _1998 + 12.2 Martín & Da Silva This geographic barrier triggered off speciation these authors, the average number of teeth on _ 2315 + 15.3 2006 of the Inia genus into the two different species each side of the upper and the lower jaw is 33. _330 (310 – 350) Best & Da Silva 1993 I. geoffrensis and I. boliviensis. However, using The average cranium length is 476.6 ± 15.1 mm, microsatellite and mitochondrial markers, and the average volume of the neurocranial _230 (205 – 260) Da Silva 1994 Ruiz-García et al. (2008) and Ruiz-García cavity is 558 + 14.3 cm3. The color pattern of Length from the tip of the _290 (230 – 350) (2010) suggested that speciation of I. boliviensis I. boliviensis is variable, varying from dark grey, jaw to melon (mm) _ 252.9 + 38.8 * _248.2 + 27.1* Ruiz-García et al. 2006 is of a more recent date, between 50 000 and white to pink, whereas claves are grey (Pilleri & 500 000 years ago. Gihr 1977, Aliaga-Rossel & McGuire, 2010), _219.2 + 61.5 _ 209.7 + 43 Ruiz-García et al. 2006 the color being related to physical activity and probably being dependent on age, water clarity Length from the tip of _ (305.7 + 29.5 * _330.9 + 37.5 * Ruiz-García et al. 2006 the jaw to mouth basis and temperature (Best & Da Silva 1993). Morphology (LTJMO) (mm) † _ 280.8 + 63.9 * _ 290 + 44.7 * Ruiz-García et al. 2006

The morphological characteristics of I. Ruiz-García et al. (2006) presented detailed Length from the tip of _ 397.9 + 41.4 * _389.1 + 35.6 * Ruiz-García et al. 2006 boliviensis are similar to those of other river morphological and morphometric data on I. the jaw to spiracle ( LTJS) dolphins of South America. The body is boliviensis, based on the measurement of 27 (mm) † _ 351.5 + 92.6 _ 351.3 + 54.7 Ruiz-García et al. 2006 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 102 ] [ 103 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Inia geoffrensis Inia boliviensis Source

Length from the tip of the jaw to genital aperture _ 921.5 + 194.2 * _ 890 + 92 * Ruiz-García et al. 2006 (mm) (LTJGA) †

Width of the dorsal fin _ 200.7 + 30.4 * _180.9 + 20.2 * Ruiz-García et al. 2006 (mm) (WPF) † _186.5 + 30.4 * _ 166.1 + 18.3 * Ruiz-García et al. 2006

Length of dorsal fin (LDF) _ 82.1 + 11.3 _ 66.4 + 9.7 Ruiz-García et al. 2006 (mm) † _ 83.1 + 23.8 * _ 58.5 + 8.8 * Ruiz-García et al. 2006

Width of fluke (WF) (mm) _ 170 + 17 * _153.6 + 25 * Ruiz-García et al. 2006 † _ 164 + 30.4 _145.3 + 13.9 Ruiz-García et al. 2006

_ 453.6 + 66.7 _446.4 + 33.8 Ruiz-García et al. 2006 Flukes tip to tip (FIT) † _ 483.1 + 107.6 * _ 408.8 + 44.8 * Ruiz-García et al. 2006

_49.5 Figure 9. Abbreviations of measures of Inia spp. used in Table 20 (Ruiz-García et al. 2006). Aliaga-Rossel 2002 _75.4

_79.5 (67.4 – 96.5) Da Silva 1994 _108 (63 - 159) argued that in the lower Bolivian Amazon, lake more often found during the reproduction Weight (kg) populations may be more isolated than in the period. _160 Best & Da Silva 1993 upper part, due to the presence of river rapids, _99.6 ± 2.1 (72 – which make exchange of genetic material by The reproduction in freshwater dolphins 141) Martin & Da Silva river more difficult. On the other hand, lake ranges from highly seasonal to year-round. In _154.2 ± 2.0 (113.5 2006 populations in the upper Bolivian Amazon can many species, reproductive seasonality varies - 207) become isolated from river populations as a geographically (McGuire & Aliaga-Rossel consequence of lower frequency and duration of 2007). Inia geoffrensis males generally reach * Measures significantly different between species (I. geoffrensis e I. boliviensis). river-lake interconnections. The same can occur reproductive maturity at total lengths of 198 † Measures that are represented in Figure 9. in remote tectonic lakes with little connection to 200 cm, and the females mature at 170-183 to the river. cm (McGuire & Winemiller, 1998). Best & da Silva (1993) reported slightly smaller sizes at first Biology occurring in lake systems) and river-dwelling Aliaga-Rossel (2002) in the Tijamuchi River maturity, resp. 195 and 160-175. The gestation individuals; these authors assumed that genetic found that 42% of observations were of solitary period for this species is estimated between 10.5 Ruiz-García et al. (2007) provided genetic exchange between lakes is accomplished during dolphins, and 32% were pairs, but occasionally and 10 months, having in each one calve that is evidence that Inia boliviensis is strongly high water, when the lakes interconnect. large groups were observed (maximum group nursed until month 8-9 (Emmons 1998). There filopatric, showing a strong preference for According to Ruiz-García et al. (2007), the size of 19 individuals). The largest group are no data available on reproductive parameters specific lakes. Martin & da Silva (2004a, spatial structure of I. boliviensis populations is observed by Aliaga-Rossel et al. (2006) in the of I. boliviensis. However, neonates and juvenile 2004b), who observed similar patterns for river probably based on lake systems. These authors same river consisted of 14 individuals. Large individuals have been observed all year long in dolphins (I. geoffrensis) in the central Amazon, only collected lake samples, and the role of groups were generally found in confluences, Bolivian territory, suggesting that reproduction distinguished “permanent residents” (mainly rivers for genetic exchange is not yet clear. They where fish prey is abundant, whereas pairs were takes place within the species both during high Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 104 ] [ 105 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

and low water seasons (Pilleri & Gihr 1977, Mc of a necropsied adult dolphin in the Mamoré Guire & Aliaga- Rossel 2007). Aliaga-Rossel River Basin. (2002), however, found that both mating and birth have a peak during the low water season. Distribution There is a lack of information about natural predators of river dolphins, but Best & da Silva Most of the distribution range of I. boliviensis (1993) report that (Melanosuchus overlaps with the north and northeast of niger) and the jaguar (Panthera onca) might be the Bolivian Amazon, coinciding with occasionally preying on I. geoffrensis. In Bolivia approximately 50% of the upper Basin of there is a record of a female dolphin that died the Madera River. It is present in the rivers after intraspecific sexual assault; such attacks that represent international limits between have been also observed in the Colombian Brazil and Bolivia: the Iténez-Guaporé river Orinoco dolphin I. geoffrensis humboldtiana in the north east (Tavera, unpublished data), (Aliaga- Rossel 2002). There are anecdotic the Abuná river in the north-west of Bolivia reports of caimans killing newborns, however, (Aliaga-Rossel 2003) and the Madera and these were not confirmed (Aliaga-Rossel, in Mamoré rivers between Guayaramerín and press). Manao (Salinas, pers. comm.). The specimens in the Abuná river might belong to either of There is little information available on the the two species (Van Bree & Rabineau 1973; diet of I. boliviensis. It is likely that the diet is Tavera et al. 2010) (see also below). similar to I. geoffrensis. For the latter species, da Silva (1983, 1994), da Silva & Best (1982) Between the communities of Guayaramerín and Best (1984) registered more than 50 prey (Bolivia) in the Mamoré River and species, most of them of intermediate size, (Brazil) on the Madera river a sequence of 18 with prey items ranging in size from 5 to 80 rapids seems to represent geographical barriers Figure 10. Estimated Extent of occurrence and river surveys of Inia boliviensis in the Bolivian Amazon. Only cm (average 20 cm). The same authors found for Inia boliviensis (Fig. 11), contradicting the main rivers are shown. Physical barriers for the species are indicated as follows: (a) rapids in the Madera river that solitary fish are taken in similar quantities earlier hypothesis of Best & da Silva (1993) who downstream of its distribution range; (b) rapids in the Beni river which impede dispersion to the Beni and Madre to schooling species and that are suggested that at high water season Inia may de Dios watersheds; (c) Elevation in piedemonte zone of subandean region (altitude limit of 240 m above sea more preyed upon than benthic or littoral be able to pass these barriers, as do migratory level); (d) Chiquitano mountains (altitude limit of 240 m above sea level). A = Study area in the Ichilo-Mamoré fish. They apparently prefer fish from the catfish. These rapids and waterfalls can be found River (Tavera, in press); B = Study area in the Tijamuchi River (Aliaga-Rossel, 2002); C = Study area in the San Martin River (Salinas, 2007); D = Study area in the Blanco River (Salinas 2007); E = Study area in the Negro de families , Cichlidae, over a distance of 400 km downstream along Caimanes River (Arias et al. 1994); F = Study area in the Blanco River (Arias et al. 1994); G = Study area in the and Serrasalmidae, which are also present in the Madera River and produce a total change Iténez River (Tavera et al. unpublished data). Abundance data are provided in Table 3. the Bolivian Amazon. The daily food intake in altitude of approximately 60m (Molina, in of an adult I. geoffrensis is between 2.7 and 4.5 press). The last one of these rapids is located kg, whereas Best & da Silva (1993) reported 6 km upstream of Porto Velho in Brazilian detailed data on their distribution in relation (Teutónia) changes in function of increasing daily food consumption rates in captivity of territory. This series of waterfalls represents the with the presence of waterfalls, neither do we water discharges (from 5 000 to 40 000 m3/s) 3.1 % of body weight daily. Aliaga-Rossel et main barrier limiting the distribution of several know to which of the two species the dolphins between, respectively, 9 m and 4 m. Jirau, on al. (in prep.) found in the stomach content of species, including I. boliviensis in the north of in these stretches belong to. The main rapids the other hand, has a minimum difference in a juvenile dolphin at least 12 fish belonging to Bolivia (Figure 10). are Teutónia waterfalls, close to Porto Velho height of 4m all year round (Molina, in press). four families (Characidae, Auchenipteridae, and Jirau waterfalls, halfway between Porto These two waterfalls probably represent the Heptapteridae and Doradidae). Aliaga-Rossel Best & da Silva (1993) reported on the Velho and the Brazilian-Bolivian border main actual barriers for I. geoffrensis (Figure (unpubl. data) reported the presence of two fish existence of freshwater dolphins between Porto (Figure 2) According to Molina (in press), 11) and I. boliviensis. Ribereia and Pederneira,

Chapter 1 of the Gasteropelecidae family in the stomach Velho and Guayaramerín, but there are no the difference in height of the largest of these both waterfalls of intermediate size, as well as Chapter 1 [ 106 ] [ 107 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

other smaller waterfalls, are probably easier to Mamoré River Basin, there are records in the was based on not confirmed local anecdotic Habitat use be passed by dolphins. Rapulo, Maniqui and Curiraba Rivers (FAN- information. Pillieri & Gihr (1977) established SERNAP-FAUNAGUA 2007), and the most 380m as the upper distribution limit for the The distribution range of Inia boliviensis Due to the Madera rapids the distribution of southern records are known for the Isiboro species; however, their reference location overlaps with seven Aquatic Ecological Systems Inia boliviensis is likely to be largely restricted Rivers (Van Damme, unpubl. data) and the (Puerto Villarroel) is located at an altitude of (SEAs), delimited in the sense of Crespo et to the Bolivian Amazon (Figure 10), where it Ichilo river (Pillieri & Gihr 1977, Van Damme, 240 m above sea level. Best & da Silva (1993) al. (2007). In the Beni River Basin, the only can be found both in clear and white water unpubl. data). Further to the southwest and suggested that the temperature of the water in overlapping SEA is the lower part of the alluvial floodplains in the departments of Santa south, the elevation represents a geographical the headwaters can pose an additional limit floodplain; in the Mamoré River Basin, the Cruz, Cochabamba, Beni and Pando (Aliaga- barrier for the species. The altitudinal limit for on dolphin distribution. Extremely high water overlapping SEAs are the Mamoré alluvial Rossel 2004). The mapped distribution range I. boliviensis in the Mamoré River Basin was set turbidity, as for example in the Grande River, floodplain, the pluvial alluvial floodplain and of I. boliviensis (Fig. 10) took into account on 250 meter above sea level, considering that a headwater in the Mamoré River Basin, can the inundation floodplain; in the Iténez River geographical barriers as well as dolphin in this region there is one sighting at 243 meter pose an additional limit (Van Damme, unpubl. Basin, the three overlapping SEAs are the Iténez sightings. Within Bolivia, about 55% of the above sea level, in the Maniqui river (FAN- data). alluvial floodplain, the Precambrian floodplain geographical range of Inia boliviensis overlaps SERNAP-FAUNAGUA 2006). However, the and flooded zone. The two latter SEAs coincide with the Iténez River Basin, 43% with the distribution limit may change in different The species is also common in the Iténez River with the Hydroecoregion “Precambrian Mamoré River Basin and 2% with the Beni smaller Basins as a consequence of local channel (Anderson 1997, Tavera unpubl. data) Shield”, as defined by Navarro y Maldonado River Basin (Figure 11). differences in slope and presence of waterfalls and in most of its Bolivian tributaries (Painter (2002) whereas the first five SEAs mentioned that cannot be passed by bufeos (Figure 11). 1994, Yañez 1999, Salinas 2007) (Figure 10). coincide with the Hydroecoregion “lowland The species is present in the Mamoré River In the Iténez River Basin, the Chiquitano floodplains” (see Table 21). As a rough estimate Aliaga-Rossel (2003) reported the presence we can distinguish eight aquatic habitat types channel (Anderson 1997) and most of its Mountains of the Precambrian Shield are likely of bufeos during the high water season at an in these two hydro-ecoregions. tributaries (see reviews in Anderson 1997, to limit the distribution of I. boliviensis in the altitude of 500 m above sea level, but this record Aliaga-Rossel 2003). In the western part of the south-eastern part of its distribution range. The habitats used by Inia boliviensis in the Based on the sighting maps, the distribution Hydro-ecoregion “lowland floodplains” are the limit of the species in the Bolivian section of flooded white water and clear water floodplains, 64 45 61 50 61 40 the River Basin was set at 240 m above sea white water rivers, clear water rivers and level. Probably, the distribution of bufeo in the streams, floodplain lakes (both oxbow and BA b upper parts of this watershed is also limited by LT várzea lakes), and tectonic lakes (Navarro & 15 30 the presence of dense floating macrophytes that Maldonado 2002) (Figure 11). RC are common in this area. RB RC Within this region we can recognize two 13 30 In the northwest of Bolivia, the rapids of main river types. The large rivers generally are “Cachuela Esperanza” (Figure 10) seem to “white water’ rivers that drain the Andes and LM LT represent a geographical barrier that has therefore contain high amounts of dissolved impeded the upstream passing of the species 15 45 RT LT and suspended solids resulting in high turbidity b from the Mamoré River to the Madre de Dios (Pouilly 2006), moreover they are characterized and Beni River sub-Basins, since there is no by a polymodal flood pulse. The “clear water” RB a Bolivia N evidence of the presence of the species in these rivers and streams, on the other hand, originate a Basins (Aliaga-Rossel, in press; Escobar Wilson- in the same plain and have low solid content. White, pers. comm.). There exist no hydraulic Aliaga-Rossel (2002) describe a range of other data on this rapid within Bolivian territory, types of river types (mixed waters, black but the difference in height seems to be at least waters), but this tipification is not validated Figure 11. Main habitat types in the Hydro-ecoregions (a) “Lowland Floodplains” (Mamore River) and (b) two meters throughout the year (Carvajal, pers. limnologically (Navarro & Maldonado 2002). “Precambrian Shield” (Iténez River), used by Inia boliviensis; RC = Clear water river; RB = White water river Chapter 1 comm.). Typical ‘black waters’ in the sense of Sioli (1975)

channel; LT = Tectonic lake; LM = Floodplain lake; BA= Old river arms. Chapter 1 [ 108 ] [ 109 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Table 21. Hydro-ecoregions (Navarro & Maldonado 2002) and Aquatic Ecological Systems (Crespo et al. 2007) Whereas many of the aquatic habitats have a (Navarro & Maldonado 2002). Altogether the overlapping with the distribution range of Inia boliviensis. patchy distribution during the dry water season, rivers which intersect the inundated floodplains lakes and rivers interconnect during the raining present relatively deep channels and have steep Hydro- Habitat types within the season (Navarro & Maldonado 2002), and banks. Aquatic vegetation is present mostly in Aquatic Ecological Systems ecoregions hydro-ecoregions dolphins disperse along the floodplain (Martin the form of floating plants such as the “tarope” Beni River Alluvial floodplain of the & Da Silva 2004a). The flooded riparian (Navarro & Maldonado 2002). Salinas (2007) Basin Beni River Basin vegetation in this region is a very important also observed that the Bolivian dolphins seem habitat for the dolphins, chasing and catching to prefer confluences of the main river and, Alluvial floodplain of the small fish that enter the floodplain. The same respectively, tributaries and old river arms Mamoré River Basin *White water rivers *Clear water rivers and streams as was described for I. geoffrensis (Martin & connected with the main river. During the dry Lowland Mamoré River Pluvial alluvial floodplain of *Floodplain lakes (Both oxbow Da Silva 2004b), the hydrological cycle likely season, when small canals and lakes are not floodplains Basin the Mamoré River Basin lakes and várzea lakes) has a dominating influence on bufeo habitat deep, dolphins are often seen feeding at river Flooded, floodplain of the *Tectonic lakes use through the year. Additionally, during confluences, probably because it is in these Mamoré River Basin the flooding season, movements within the places where currents disorient the fish and Iténez River Alluvial floodplain in the floodplain and between the floodplain and the facilitate their capture (Best & Da Silva 1993, Basin Iténez River Basin river and lakes will be determined mostly by McGuire 2002, Aliaga-Rossel 2002). prey availability, which is related to migration Precambrian floodplain * Clear water rivers patterns of fish, as well as to water level and While the available habitat for the dolphins in Precambrian Iténez River * Tectonic lakes Shield Basin floodplain of the * Old river arms (“Bahías”) oxygen concentration of the floodplain (Martin the Iténez River Basin is the main channel and Precambrian Shield * Floodplain lakes & Da Silva 2004b; Aliaga-Rossel & Quevedo side channels of the rivers, they also appear to in prep.). use lakes, floodplains and smaller tributaries (Tavera, unpublished data). Most of the Within the Brazilian Shield Hydroecoregion, tectonic lakes in the Iténez River Basin are not are absent in the Bolivian Amazon (Pilleri A very typical lenthic habitat in this hydro- on the other hand, aquatic environments are used during the dry season, probably because & Gihr 1977, Navarro & Maldonado 2002). ecoregion is represented by the floodplain very different and are mainly characterized they are too shallow (Salinas 2007). Within the main river channels, the dolphins lakes, which are used intensively by freshwater on the basis of their geomorphology and seem to prefer river confluences (Aliaga-Rossel dolphins, however there are no detailed hydrochemistry. Pilleri (1969), Pilleri & Gihr 2002, Aliaga-Rossel et al. 2006). abundance data for this habitat. Ruiz-García et (1977), Yañez (1999), Tavera et al. (unpublished Abundance al. (pers. comm.) collected 70 individuals from data) and Salinas (2007) confirmed that the A confluence was defined as the place where a floodplain lakes in the Mamoré River Basin Bolivian river dolphin is present in most of the The available information on the abundance of tributary discharges its water in the main river (a white water floodplain), without indicating aquatic habitats within this aquatic mosaic. river dolphins in Bolivia is increasing in volume. stem (Aliaga-Rossel 2002). McGuire (2002) how many were present in total in each lake. The works published by Pilleri (1969), Pilleri & & Aliaga-Rossel et al. (2006) speculate that However, the fragmentary data indicate that The rivers in this hydroecoregion are ‘clear Gihr (1977), and Tapia (1995) mentioned the these confluences have a high productivity, as the densities in floodplain lakes are high, and water rivers’ draining old geological formations, presence of the species in their study areas, well as greater abundance of fish. Furthermore, in fact the larger part of the population may and are characterized by nearly neutral pH without providing detailed data on distribution Aliaga-Rossel (2002) observed high numbers of occupy these habitats throughout the year. and low solids content. The main river stem and not applying standard methods that dolphin in old river arms connected with the It is expected that floodplain lakes in more has many side channels, and represents a allowed for comparison of results. Most authors Tijamuchi River, considered to be a clear water productive white water floodplains have higher very heterogeneous habitat for dolphins. The do not provide details on survey methodology tributary (Navarro & Maldonado 2003) of the fish productivity (see for a discussion Navarro flood pulse in these rivers is unimodal. The or surveyed very short stretches, tending to Mamoré river. However, during the dry season & Maldonado, 2002, and Pouilly et al. 2006) river-floodplain system also has a complex overestimate or subestimate dolphin abundance. the connection channel between these old river and, consequently, higher dolphin abundances, structure. Most of the old river arms stay Moreover, it is difficult to standardize survey arms and the river stem was reduced to very low however, there exist no data to test this connected with the river all year round, which methods among very different habitats, which is a consequence of low sedimentation rates also explains why methods in small and large Chapter 1 depths and bufeos migrates to the main river. hypothesis. Chapter 1 [ 110 ] [ 111 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

rivers differ considerably. Most recent authors Data are still too poor to detect abundance Table 22. Encounter rates of Inia boliviensis in different water systems in the Bolivian Amazon. used strip transects (Aliaga-Rossel 2002, patterns; however, some hypothesis can be put forward. Observed differences in dolphin Aliaga-Rossel et al. 2006) or line transects to Transect Encounter Autor River Type of water estimate dolphin relative abundances. abundance may be a result of differences in river length (km) rate (ind/ km) size, surface area of the adjacent floodplain, or We reviewed published literature in order to food availability. Pilleri & Gihr 1977 Ichilo White 130 0.25 estimate river distance sampled within the distributional range of bufeos in Bolivia. The river type is important in the sense that Pilleri & Gihr 1977 Upurupuru White* 12 1.17 Overall, white water rivers in the Mamoré River it affects the total primary and secondary Basin have been sampled quite intensively, production in the drainage Basins and in Painter 1994 Blanco Clear *** 0.16 whereas other river types are not very well this matter may have a strong influence on freshwater dolphin abundance (Best & Da Negro de studied. There is hardly any information on Painter 1994 Clear *** 0.22 the use of floodplain lakes by dolphins (an Silva 1993). Moreover, river and floodplain Caimanes exception is Aliaga-Rossel 2002). size differences may be superimposed on differences in productivity. Generally, the Aliaga-Rossel 2002 Tijamuchi Clear** 185 1,2 Pilleri & Gihr (1977) found 0.25 ind./km in a white water floodplains are considered to be Aliaga-Rossel et al. 2006 Mamoré White 222,2 1,6 stretch of 130 km of the Ichilo River and 1.17 very productive, whereas the floodplains that drain the Precambrian Shield are nutrient poor ind./km along a short transect of 12 km in the Aliaga-Rossel & Quevedo in (Navarro & Maldonado 2002). We assume that Ibare Clear 175 0,2 Upurupuru river. Aliaga-Rossel et al. (2006) prep. reported abundance indexes and encounter the main factors influencing abundance of the dolphins are those related to the productivity of rates for dolphin populations in four tributaries Salinas 2007 San Martín Clear 56 0,74 the aquatic systems. Productivity is related to of the Mamoré River. The encounter rates food availability which in turn might influence presented for the rivers Tijamuchi, Yacuma, Salinas 2007 Blanco White* 66 1,62 the abundance of the dolphins in the different Apere, Rapulo and Mamoré were between 1.2 River Basins. and 5.8 ind./km. Aliaga-Rossel et al. (2006) Tavera et al. unpublished data Ichilo-Mamoré White 550 1,30 found encounter rates in the Mamoré river Tavera et al. unpublished data Iténez Clear 598 1,60 channel of 1.6 ind./km. At the start of the Threats dry season of 2007, 550km were navigated on the Mamoré River, from Puerto Villarroel to Freshwater dolphin populations in South * The Blanco river is considered to be a white water river though it does not drain the Andes Mountains. It should be considered different from “typical” white water rivers. Trinidad, a major white water river draining the America seem to be in a better health than Andes, and 598 km on the Iténez River, from ** Aliaga-Rossel (2002) refers to this river as a “black-water” river or a “mixed water river”. However, following the Asian river dolphins, mainly because the recommendations of Navarro & Maldonado (2002) we classify it as a clear water river. Pimenteiras in Brazil to Buena Vista, the main both fisheries and dam construction are less *** Without information. clear water river draining the Precambrian developed in the Orinoco and Amazon than shield. Using a standardized methodology, in Asia. In particular, this applies for Inia encounter rates of, respectively, 1.3 ind./ boliviensis, a species which dwells in an area with populations around the world. In South In many parts of the world, aquatic ecosystems km and 1.6 ind./km were recorded (Tavera low fisheries pressure and without any dam so America the effects of these threats for Inia receive more human pressure than their et al. in prep.). Finally, Salinas (2007) found far constructed in the lowlands. However, this are difficult to quantify due to the lack of terrestrial equivalents (Dudgeon et al. 2006), higher abundance of river dolphins in a white situation might change in the near future. information. This makes it difficult to evaluate though for Bolivia there exist no detailed water river (Blanco) (1.62 ind./km) than in a whether there are significant conservation evaluations. In the Bolivian Amazon, the clear water river (0.74 ind./km) draining the The Conservation Action Plan for the World’s problems for the populations of dolphins or erosion caused by the inadequate use of land Precambrian Shield (San Martin River) of the Cetaceans 2002- 2010 (Reeves et al. 2003) whether the mortality caused by humans is and the deforestation of riparian zones might Iténez River Basin (Table 22). considered several threats for the river dolphin incidental or intentional. have changed dolphin habitat occurring Chapter 1

Chapter 1 [ 112 ] [ 113 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

downstream, however this impact has Hunting and fishing As a consequence, fish depletion is not considered showing that both died drowned after being not been quantified. Contamination with as a direct threat for the dolphin populations at trapped by fishing nets. The juvenile had the mercury (Maurice-Bourgoin 2001), the spill of The fish consumption in Bolivia is one of the the moment. Furthermore, Amazon fisheries in caudal fin removed (Aliaga-Rosselet al. In prep.) domestic and industrial waste, and petroleum lowest of all Latin American countries (1.4 Kg/ Bolivia are focused on the larger carnivorous Some illegal fishing methods are considered contamination (Van Damme et al. 2000) may person/year, significantly lower than the rate and omnivorous fish species and not on the threats to Inia boliviensis populations such as have severe impacts downstream, often at a recommended by the FAO which is 12 Kg/ smaller omnivorous and detrivorous fish species the use of dynamite (Aliaga-Rossel, 2003; large distance from the contamination points person/year). This coincides with low fisheries and thus are not likely to provoke a depletion of in press), occurring mainly in the headwater (Van Damme 2002), but the effect on dolphins pressure. In general, the fish resource is the food resource of dolphins, neither at River Basins. However, we consider these deaths to is not known. considered to be underexploited (Alisson, 1998, Basin level nor at local level (Van Damme, be accidental. Though there are only anecdotal Reinert & Winter 2002). Some species as the in prep.). The estimated number of 80 000 records so far, intensified commercial fishing In the next paragraphs we indicate some mayor ‘pacu’ (Colossoma macropomum) are showing dolphins (see below) would consume a yearly might pose the species some risk in the future, threats for I. boliviensis populations in Bolivia, local signs of overexploitation, mainly in the average of 43 800 tons of fish (assuming that especially in the lower Mamoré river. giving emphasis to the possible impact of Mamoré River Basin, but healthy populations daily fish consumption is 2 kg, based on Best mercury, dam development, boat traffic and are present in some tributaries (Reinert & & Da Silva), which is far above the 3 400 ton There is increasing evidence or records of commercial fishing. Figure 12 summarizes Winter 2002, Van Damme & Carvajal 2005). estimate for fisheries exploitation (Van Damme intentional killing of river dolphins in Bolivia. some of the important threats. et al. in prep.). Even if the estimates of bufeo Anecdotic reports indicate that in the last densities are too optimistic, there is no reason to year more than 10 adult bufeos in the area of be concerned with direct resource competition the Tijamuchi river were intentionally killed, between fishermen and bufeos. leaving them in the shore where they were left grief-stricken, or using the fat as bait. Despite In many places, fishermen consider the Inia being forbidden by law, sporadic hunting of as harmless, but in some areas (for example, freshwater dolphins still occurs in Bolivia. the Mamoré River Basin) there are seen as Occasionally dolphins become targets during competitors. Mortality may occur when practice of shooting techniques by hunters dolphins are accidentally entangled and die (Aliaga-Rossel 2003, Tavera pers obs. 2008). In of asphyxiation in fishing nets as they are the town of Riberalta, dolphin teeth are sold as prevented from reaching the surface of the water amulets to protect against bad luck or as sexual to breathe (Tavera pers. obs. 2007); in other attraction (Aliaga-Rossel 2003). cases, the fishermen prefer to kill the dolphins rather than suffer net damage (Aliaga- Rossel Aliaga-Rossel (2003) mentioned old traditions 2002, 2003). In 2002, Muñoz and Tavera (pers. and myths that may still influence local actual comm.) recorded the death of a dolphin in the perception of bufeos. In the Iténez River Basin, fishing nets of commercial fishermen in the Itonama and Baures indigenous tribes thought Ichilo River. In 2007, an infant young female that bufeos once were people that received of 1.30 m length and 30 kg weight was found a divine punishment and were transformed dead in the San Martin River (Iténez River (Ribera 2000). Other extinct tribes thought Basin) nearby the community of Bella Vista. that dolphins could transform themselves in Aliaga-Rossel (2002), based on interviews, to men seducing village girls (Yañez 1999). described cases of dolphin mortality in fishing Most local people adopt the idea that the bufeo nets in old river arms and in the Tijamuchi meat is not consumible, however, they are still River. Recently, during the rising water season, consumed by some indigenous groups. There are in the Apere and Niquisi rivers, a newborn indications that traditional beliefs are changing Figure 12. Map of threats that put on risk the future of Inia boliviensis in Bolivia: gold mining, dam construction, and a juvenile were found dead, the necropsy and bufeo might become a main target in the Chapter 1

planned waterways and main commercial fisheries. Chapter 1 [ 114 ] [ 115 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

future. There also exists information that bufeo plants, ultimately becoming biomagnified used for local transport, and increasingly for will flood hundreds of square kilometers of is used as bait in the central and lower Mamoré in carnivorous fish. Top predators, whether tourism. Boat engines can cause mortality of Amazonian forest. Experts of the National river. human, river dolphins I. boliviensis or giant the dolphins (Van Damme, pers. obs.). Aliaga- Institute of Amazonian Investigations (INPA) otter Pteronura brasilensis (Aliaga-Rossel Rossel (2002), in the Tijamuchi River (Mamoré argue in addition that the Jirau dam might 2003, Ibisch & Merida 2003) are supposed to River Basin), found a dead specimen with cuts flood a surface twice the planned 204 km2 Mercury contamination accumulate significant quantities of mercury in the head area and the lower jaw broken, and could eventually flood Bolivian territory. (Pouilly, pers. comm.). So far, there are no with obvious signs of having been injured by a This would exacerbate the problem of mercury According to Aliaga-Rossel (2010), gold mining data of mercury accumulation in freshwater propeller. Further studies are needed to confirm pollution, spreading the impact over a wider in Bolivia is a major threat for Inia boliviensis. dolphins, though their position in the food web the magnitude of this threat for the Bolivian area (Pouilly, pers. comm.). In the western Bolivian Amazon River Basin, renders them extremely vulnerable (Maurice- river dolphin populations. gold mining is associated with mercury disposal Bourgoin et al. 1999, Maurice-Bourgoin 2001, The construction of the hydroelectric dams in aquatic systems. Between 1979 and 1997, Aliaga-Rossel in press, Ibisch & Merida 2003). Boat traffic may become a major problem once in the Madera River in addition will likely Maurice-Bourgoin (2001) estimated that in proposed waterways in the Madera, Mamoré result in the decrease and potential economical the northwest of the Bolivian Amazon (Pando) Maurice-Bourgoin et al. (1999) and Maurice- and Iténez River Basin are constructed. The extinction of fish species of commercial value, alone, 300 tons of mercury was flushed into the Bourgoin (2001) determined the mercury building of the Madera waterway is foreseen in disabling the migration paths of these to their river each year. Up until 2000, in the upper concentrations in sediments and fish, and the framework of planned dam construction. spawning habitats in the headwaters (Van Iténez River Basin, 500 small miners were evaluated the impact on the riparian human Brazil foresees the creation of sluices that can Damme & Carvajal, in prep.). Besides the large emitting approximately 15 tons of mercury per populations. According to these authors, the facilitate navigation between Porto Velho and carnivorous catfish and characid species, the year (Hentschel et al. 2000). Pouilly (unpubl. contamination by mercury of streams and Guayaramerín. The Mamoré (planned between dam may affect smaller migrating detritivorous data) confirm that mercury disposal is still very rivers located close to the gold mines at the Puerto Villarroel and Guayaramerín) and the and omnivorous species, such as Potamorhina, high both in the upper Iténez river and in the base of the Andes is very high. The mercury Iténez waterways (planned between Pimenteiras Triportheus and Prochilodus which are favorite Beni River Basin. concentrations analyzed in this superficial and Guayaramerín) will be constructed by preys of Inia. water surpasses more than 500 times the world- dredging, allowing boat traffic all year around, Mercury particles in solution in the rivers can wide average value. Moreover, the sediments affecting fish and Bolivian dolphin populations. The construction of the San Antonio and Jirau become trapped in water droplets and travel far of the rivers from the high Andes are very dams will create reservoirs which will flood in the atmospheric water vapor. Precipitation contaminated. The concentrations exceed up the rapids in the river. The reservoirs created can then lead to contamination of rivers in to 44 times the permissible limit in Bolivia. Dam development by the dams will be probably used by Bolivian other drainages (Maurice-Bourgoin 2001). 72% of collected piscivorous and carnivorous river dolphin, considering that the reservoir In addition, it can travel very long distances fish in the tributaries of the Beni River were Since 1971 the Ministry of Mines and Energy of will harbor a huge amount of planktivorous through accumulation in migratory fish. These highly contaminated, since they exceeded up to Brazil and the National Company of Electricity and carnivorous fish species of intermediate two factors suggest that mercury contamination five times the limit value of the OMS (1976) (ENDE) of Bolivia have been identifying four size. However, fish diversity in these reservoirs is not an isolated and localalized event, but a of 0,5 μg Hg/g. The contaminated species were locations for the construction of hydroelectric will be drastically reduced, and this is likely to global problem that can affect all the Bolivian the surubi (Pseudoplatystoma spp.), palometa power stations in the upper Madera River affect Inia, which has a wide feeding spectrum Amazonian River Basin, including zones where (Pygocentrus nattereri), muturo (Zungaro Basin, with the main aim to supply energy for (Best & Da Silva 1993). The construction of there has never been gold exploitation. Thus, zungaro) and the plateado (Brachyplatystoma the Brazilian and Bolivian economy. The two dams in sequence will aggravate the problem. the mercury contamination in the Beni River, rousseauxii), all species of commercial value dams for which admission procedures are in which is not overlapping with the distribution both in the Beni and the Mamoré watersheds. an advanced stage are Santo Antonio and Jirau Erroneous construction of the fish bypass range of bufeo, can easily affect individuals on the in Brazilian territory or of the dam’s doors could allow passage occurring in the eastern parts of the Bolivian (Molina 2006). of dolphins upstream, and Inia geoffrensis Amazon. Boat traffic coming from Brazil, could possible invade the The dams of Jirau and Santo Antonio in Brazil Bolivian Amazon, affecting the Inia boliviensis Under favorable conditions, mercury can Major navigable rivers in Bolivia such as the are expected to generate 6.450 megawatts, populations, which is genetically vulnerable. be incorporated into the sediments and Mamoré and the Iténez are used for commercial equivalent to 8% of the energetic demand Dam development represents a potential threat

Chapter 1 enter the aquatic trophic chain by aquatic transport while tributaries of these rivers are in Brazil. The reservoirs created by the dams for the Bolivian dolphins. A similar situation Chapter 1 [ 116 ] [ 117 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

was described for the river dolphin of the Amplification Polymorphism DNA markers laws: (a) Decree 22641: General Prohibition of Local and regional action plans , which is considered near extinction (RAPD), indicated that at the macrogeographic Hunting in the country, modified in July 1999 due to population fragmentation caused by level the genetic variability of I. boliviensis according to Supreme Decree 25458; (b) Decree Action plans include a proposal of conservation dam development. However, whereas in Asia is considerably lower. Moreover, the same of Law 12301 of Wildlife, National Parks, actions that are based on a baseline study populations are threatened by fragmentation, authors using RAPD showed that at the Hunting and Fishing, and c) The Supreme and an identification of main threats. So far, the Bolivian river dolphin may be threatened microgeographic level (Mamoré floodplain) Decree 24781 which establishes the general in Bolivia, the conservation of I. boliviensis by a rupture of its isolation in the Bolivian there is high genetic heterogeneity amongst management strategies for protected areas. A only has been considered in the framework Amazon. Compared to other freshwater floodplain lakes within one and the same River Departmental Law of March 2008 decrees the of the development of management plans of dolphin populations in South America and Basin but very low genetic interchange between Bolivian River Dolphin as a Natural Patrimony protected areas, such as Noel Kempff National in the world, Inia boliviensis is considered to the lake populations, giving rise to a significant of the Department of Beni. Park, Iténez protected area, and Reserva de ríos have a better conservation status, however, spatial structure. Therefore, genetic isolation Blanco y Negro. However, it is necessary to it is a species very vulnerable to large-scale was related to the distance between lakes, This regional legal instrument is an important develop action plans that cover larger parts of hydrological river changes. which according to these authors is explained achievement contributing to the conservation the distribution range. Equally, it is important by the existence of geographical barriers, of the dolphins within Bolivian territory, and to include other aquatic species (such as giant mainly rapids, in the Bolivian Amazon. reflects political concern for its preservation otter Pteronura brasiliensis and black caiman Conservation status and and its use as an emblematic flagship species. Melanosuchus niger) within these action plans. legal protection Total population size of Inia boliviensis is also lower, coinciding with its smaller distribution About 15,6 % of the Bolivian Amazon is According to the IUCN (2010), I. geoffrensis range. Martin & da Silva (2004a) estimated protected within protected areas and 19% Evaluation of environmental impact I. geoffrensis 2 is categorized as “Data Deficient”, due to the that 13 000 occur in the 11 240 km overlaps with Indigenous Territories. The of megaprojects absence of reliable distribution and population Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve delimitation of National Parks was carried data. It is included in the Appendix II of CITES in Brazil, which covers an estimated 11%- out following terrestrial criteria and political One of the most important limitations for (2008). In the 2002-2010 Conservation Action 18% of várzea habitat. This data probably is a concerns, and generally did not take into conservation action in Bolivia is the lack of Plan for the World’s Cetaceans (Randall et subestimate, and da Silva (pers. com.) recently account the limits of River Basins. Less than information and concern about the value of al. 2003) this species was considered as “not estimated total population size of I. geoffrensis 4% of the extent of occurrence of I. boliviensis its natural resources. In the framework of evaluated species”. This uncertainty on the (in all its distribution range) between 3 000 000 overlaps with Indigenous Territories (TCO) conservation status of I. geoffrensis also applies and 5 000 000 specimens. On the other hand, (where hunting and fishing is allowed) and environmental studies on the impact of dam for Inia boliviensis (though at the time of total population size of I. boliviensis is probably less than 2% with protected areas (Figure 13). construction on aquatic fauna in the Madera classification it was considered as a subspecies lower than 80 000. This latter figure was derived The main protected areas where the bufeo is River Basin, the possible impact on I. boliviensis of I. geoffrensis). In Bolivia, the bufeo was from an extrapolation of relative abundance effectively protected are the National Park is being evaluated. considered within the Red Book of Threatened data for rivers to the entire distribution range Noel Kempff Mercado and the Iténez Protected Vertebrates (Ergueta & De Morales 1996) as a within Bolivia (Crespo, unpublished data). The Area, both in the north east, and the Isiboro- species of “Low Risk”. However, in the revised higher vulnerability of I. boliviensis, resulting Sécure National Park, in the upper Mamoré Public relationships version of the Red List of Bolivian vertebrates, from low total population size, the low genetic River Basin. Inia boliviensis was considered “Vulnerable”, a variability and the low genetic interaction Recently the media have been given attention decision based on aquatic habitat degradation between its populations, implies that floodplain to the Bolivian dolphin. Press and other and decrease of population size, but also on low habitat protection should receive top priority Conservation initiatives media attention can trigger public support genetic variability (Aliaga-Rossel 2009). amongst possible conservation strategies (Ruiz- for conservation. It is important to maintain García et al. 2007). With the recognition of I. boliviensis being a a fluid communication with the press such The population of Inia boliviensis is more unique species, the interest in its conservation that they can inform the general public and vulnerable than the population of Inia In Bolivia, the protection of this species has been increasing in the last few years. In contribute indirectly to the conservation of the geoffrensis. Ruiz-García et al. (2007), using is contemplated indirectly in the Political the next paragraphs we present some lessons species. A communication strategy is required macrosatellite markers (STRP) and Random Constitution of the State and the following learned and indicate conservation priorities. to streamline information on the species. Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 118 ] [ 119 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Diffusion and environmental National laws education The promulgation of the departmental law 69˚ 66˚ 63˚ 60˚ 57˚ A clear strategy of environmental education that considers the Bolivian River Dolphin as a is important for conservation planning. It Natural Patrimony of the Department of Beni is a priority in the conservation strategy to is perhaps one of the most important steps facilitate the information to local people who towards effective conservation of the species, can later undertake conservation actions or and might open the road for the design of a develop management strategies, for example National Law that regulates the protection of in the framework of responsible tourism. This I. boliviensis within Bolivian territory. In the 12˚ 12˚ type of activity should be based on the best future, it will become important to provide technical information available and should assessment and technical information both to be accompanied with a monitoring program. national and local authorities. So far, no specific environmental education programs on Bolivian dolphins were developed, although some projects are underway, especially 15˚ 15˚ in the Iténez River Basin. The Bolivian river dolphin may be used as flagship species for aquatic habitat conservation.

18˚ 18˚

21˚ 21˚ Legend

Protected areas Indigenous territories Distribution area of I. Boliviensis

69˚ 66˚ 63˚ 60˚ 57˚

Figure 13. Overlap of the Extent of Occurrence of I. boliviensis with protected areas and indigenous territories in the Bolivian Amazon. Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 120 ] [ 121 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

1.6. Status, threats, conservation initiatives and possible solutions for Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis in Brazil

Vera M. F. da Silva1 & Anthony R.Martin2

(1) Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPA, Laboratório de Mamífero Aquáticos, Av. André Araújo, 2936 – Petrópolis, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil - [email protected] (2) Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK - [email protected]

Abstract

The boto, or Amazon river dolphin, genus Basin. Certainly, the conservation status of the Inia occurs as two or more geographically- separate populations needs to be considered discrete populations, together covering most independently. Knowledge of the biology of the Amazon and Orinoco watersheds. The and ecology of the boto is uncertain, though current convention of recognizing one species improving through current research. Despite I. geoffrensis has been challenged, not least on widespread incidental catches in fisheries, the basis that the Bolivian population differs directed catches for use as bait and habitat in some fundamental cranial characteristics deterioration due to industrial and agricultural

Chapter 1 from counterparts in the main Amazon River development, the boto remains apparently Chapter 1 [ 122 ] [ 123 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

abundant, though numbers are declining fast en general. Es crucial implementar mecanismos detectar e quantificar as alterações do número survival and development programs are in some areas. It is essential that mechanisms para detectar y cuantificar cambios en la desses golfinhos. Bem menos informações connected to the rivers and under the influence are put in place to allow the detection and situación de conservación del bufeo en existem para Sotalia fluviatilis, apesar desta of its seasonality, making conservation efforts quantification of status changes in this diferentes regiones. Hay menos información espécie, simpátrica com o boto na maior parte for all aquatic organisms more difficult. dolphin. Less information exists for Sotalia sobre el bufeo negro o tucuxi, Sotalia fluviatilis, de sua distribuição, estar submetida a mesma fluviatilis although the species, sympatric with que comparte casi la misma distribución con pressão e ameaças e deve ser tratada com os the boto in most of its distribution, is subject el bufeo y enfrenta las mismas amenazas; por mesmos critérios de conservação que o boto. Species and local names to same pressure and threats and should be lo tanto, la situación de conservación de esta A incapacidade de se apontar e de se reverter treated under the same conservation criteria especie debía ser considerada igual al del bufeo os impactos humanos sobre esses animais, e a Inia geoffrensis is the only recognized species as the boto. Without the ability to pinpoint hasta que haya informaciones más detalladas. inexistência de mecanismos de prevenção farão in the Amazon River Basin. It is known in the and reverse damaging human impacts, there Solamente a través de proyectos de monitoreo que o boto siga o mesmo caminho desastroso Brazilian Amazon as boto-vermelho (red boto) will be no means of preventing the boto from y intervención sobre los impactos negativos que levou a extinção os golfinhos da Ásia. or simply boto, and is also popularly called in following the same disastrous path as its Asian se puede prevenir que los bufeos amazónicos the rest of Brazil as boto -cor-de-rosa or boto- counterparts. sigan el mismo camino desastroso que el bufeo rosa (pink dolphin), due to the strong pinkish asiático. Introduction color exhibited by some adult individuals. Fisherman perceptions on the color pattern of Resumen In the Brazilian Amazon there are two different this dolphin at different stages of life or body Resumo species of cetaceans from two different families: condition can differ along boto distribution, El delfín del río, conocido popularmente como the largest of the river dolphins, Inia geoffrensis thus different names are used locally according bufeo o boto (genero Inia), consiste en dos o O boto, ou boto vermelho, gênero Inia, apresenta (the boto), and the only freshwater member to the fisherman’s description. Fetus, calves and más poblaciones geográficamente distintas duas ou mais populações geograficamente of the marine family Delphinidae, Sotalia young animals are always gray, while adults are que cubren la mayor parte de las cuencas del discretas, distribuídas na maior parte das bacias fluviatilis (tucuxi). The boto and the tucuxi pinkish or light gray and present large areas of Amazonas y el Orinoco. La convención actual dos rios Amazonas e Orinoco. A convenção have a very broad distribution occurring almost gray color in the dorsal area of the body (Best de reconocer una sola especie, I. geoffrensis, taxonômica atual, que reconhece apenas uma in all rivers and lakes they can possibly reach & da Silva 1989a, 1989b). Adult males are in ha sido criticada considerando, por ejemplo, espécie, I. geoffrensis, tem sido questionada, e não where the main barriers are rapids, falls and large part, pinker than females. This pinkish diferencias fundamentales en la anatomía apenas porque populações bolivianas diferem shallow water. Despite all threats, both species tonality is the result of the progressive loss of craneal entre poblaciones de bufeo de Bolivia em características cranianas fundamentais, are still abundant and widely spread in most the dark coloration, with age and growth, and y la bacía principal del Amazonas. Por lo quando comparadas com outros congêneres of its original distributional area. Much of the due to the abrasion caused during intraspecific tanto, la situación de la conservación de estas na bacia amazônica. Certamente, o estado difficulty in protecting these two species of interaction between males and is not related poblaciones también debe ser considerada de de conservação dessas populações disjuntas freshwater dolphins is due to their great mobility with the health of the individuals. Usually in forma independiente. Conocimientos sobre la precisa ser considerado separadamente. O and the direct proximity and competition with males, the strong pink color is associated to the biología y la ecología del bufeo es limitado por conhecimento atual da biologia e ecologia do humans for food, space and water quality. maturity status inferring that the bright pink hay muchos avances en investigaciones actuales. boto é incipiente, embora exista um importante color is a visual display in adult male botos aumento nas pesquisas atuais. Apesar da ampla Although sparsely inhabited, the six main states (Martin & Da Silva 2006). Las amenazas principales son la captura ocorrência de capturas acidentais em redes de of the Brazilian Amazon region where the accidental por la industria pesquera, captura pesca, das capturas diretas para uso do boto botos occurs holds a population of 13.4 million Sotalia fluviatilis is the only exclusive intencional (especialmente para empate para como isca e da degradação do habitat devido humans, with an average density of 24.3 Delphinidae freshwater dweller in the Amazon ciertas prácticas pesqueras) y la deterioración ao desenvolvimento industrial e da agricultura, inhabitants/ km2 (IBGE 2007) concentrated River Basin and one of the smallest dolphins de habitat causada por la expansión de la o boto continua aparentemente abundante, in a few large urban areas of the region and of this family. In Brazil it is mainly known agricultura e industrias. Sin embargo, y a pesar embora em algumas áreas os números estejam along the margins of the main rivers of the as boto-tucuxi or tucuxi, although in some de la caída de las poblaciones en algunas áreas diminuindo rapidamente. É crucial que sejam Amazon River Basin. Most human activities in places can also receive names according to más impactadas, el bufeo continua abundante estabelecidos mecanismos que permitam the Amazon, such as transportation, electricity, its colour or fisherman perception as boto Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 124 ] [ 125 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

“pretinho”,”roxinho” or “cinza”. Differently Peru, Venezuela and throughout the Branco Casiquiare Canal itself (Pilleri & Gihr 1977, to the influence of the Tocantins and Guamá from the boto, the tucuxi do not change and Tacutu rivers along the border between Grabert 1983, Best & Da Silva 1983). The boto rivers discharge into the Pará River, the fluvial body color or color pattern with age or sex, Guyana and Brazil (Best & Da Silva 1989a, was previously reported as absent in the upper species can be found several kilometers below but a variation from dark to light grey can be 1989b, 1993) in a total area of about 7 million parts of the Orinoco River (Trebbau & van Belém. The tucuxi does not pass the rapids at observed in all age classes (Da Silva & Best km2 (Nordin & Meade 1986). The geographical Bree 1974, Pilleri & Gihr 1977, 1981) but was São Gabriel da Cachoeira on the upper Rio 1996). distribution of the genus was hitherto known confirmed to occur above, below and between Negro, and thus does not occur in the upper in a broad sense, but not in detail. Records for the rapids mentioned above (Pilleri & Pilleri Orinoco (Best & Da Silva 1983, Da Silva & the boto are mainly based on opportunistic 1982, Best & Da Silva 1983, 1993, Defler 1983, Best 1994, Meade & Koehnken 1991). Status of population observations reported from generalized areas. Meade & Koehnken 1991). Botos also pass In the Amazon River drainage system the rapids on the Tocantins and Branco rivers but Distribution boto is found from the delta near Belém, as far not those below Altamira in the Xingú River Species / stock identity The boto and the tucuxi have an extraordinarily upstream as the Ucayali and Marañon rivers and those on the Tapajós River near São Luís do wide distribution, occurring in the Amazon in Peru, throughout the main river, the main Tapajós (Lamb 1954, Best & Da Silva 1989b, Very little information about stock identity in River Basin almost everywhere they can tributaries and smaller rivers (Best & Da Silva 1993, Da Silva & Martin 2000). There are no botos and tucuxis exists. Most researchers have physically reach without venturing into marine 1989a, 1989b, 1993, Hershkovitz 1963, 1966, published records of Inia for several rivers in considered the animals in their study area as waters, and are sympatric in the largest part of Leatherwood et al. 2000). The principal limits the Amazon River Basin, although from Belém part of a larger stock or population, but without its distribution. They occur in all types of water of its distribution are impassable rapids, very at the mouth of the Amazon River to Tabatinga any evidence as to its geographical limit. (black, white and clear) and in most habitats of small and shallow rivers and possibly cold at the border between Peru and Colombia this the region throughout the year. The very large waters from the smaller tributaries near the dolphin has been observed along the Amazon Inia geoffrensis. The possibility of three large seasonal river level fluctuations are a major Andes, although there are several records of the River in the mouth of all tributaries. If there populations of Inia, one in each of the three influence on the distribution and occurrence boto passing extensive rapids, mainly during is no physical barrier between these rivers and main river systems where the genus occurs, has of the dolphin during the year. The water level high waters (Best & Da Silva 1989a). the main rivers where the dolphin reside, the been suggested by several authors (e.g. van Bree varies as a consequence of the rainfall, both lack of reports is likely to be more related to the & Robineau 1973, Casinos & Ocaña 1979, annually and regionally. During the high- absence of observers than that of dolphins. Hamilton et al. 2001). This discrimination was waters, the floodplains or ‚varzea‘ of white Geographical barriers suggested because of the potential geographical rivers and the‚ igapó‘ (floodplains of black- and Sotalia fluviatilis is endemic to the Amazon barriers between the Amazon and Orinoco clear water rivers) are flooded. Due to its body The boto population of the Amazon system is River drainage system. Records exist from Belém river systems and between the Amazon and the flexibility the boto can explore both habitats, separated from animals of the Beni/Mamoré through the main river and tributaries of the upper Madeira/ Beni/ Mamoré river systems. swimming among the submerged vegetation in system by a series of rapids in the upper Madeira Amazon in Brazil to the Ucayali and Putumayo There has been considerable discussion as to the flooded forest or ‚igapó‘ in search of fish River between Porto Velho and Guajará-Mirim rivers in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador (Borobia whether these populations should be regarded or can enter the floodplains in the very rich (Pilleri & Gihr 1977, Casinos & Ocaña 1980, et al. 1991, Best & Da Silva 1984, Da Silva & as different species, subspecies or simply races ‚varzea‘, while the tucuxi do not venture in Grabert 1983, Best & Da Silva 1989a,b, 1993, Best 1994, Flores & Da Silva 2009, Grimwood (e.g. Hershkovitz 1966, Trebbau & van Bree waters with dense vegetation, preferring open Da Silva 2009). These 200km of rapids are not, 1969, Leatherwod et al, 2000, Rios & Utreras 1974, Pilleri & Gihr 1977, Best & Da Silva waters. During the dry season, the varzea and however, a barrier to large migratory catfish 2004, Vidal et al. 1993). In Brazil, the principal 1989a,b, Hamilton et al. 2001, Banguera et al. the igapó are completely dry and the dolphins during high water (Goulding 1979, 1981) and limits of its distribution are small and shallow 2002). are concentrated in the main channel of the botos occur between these rapids and above and rivers and the presence of rapids (Da Silva rivers and in permanent lakes (Da Silva 1994, below the Abuña falls (Da Silva, pers. Obs.), 1983 1986, Da Silva & Best 1994). Sotalia The current recognition is of a single species Martin & Da Silva 2004a). and so the separation may not be absolute. The does not occur in the Araguaia River, and in Inia geoffrensis and three subspecies I. g. populations from the Orinoco and the Amazon the it occurs only below the humboldtiana (distributed throughout the Inia geoffrensis is widely distributed within, river systems are considered to be isolated from Tucuruí dam, near its mouth. The boundaries Orinoco drainage River Basin), I. g. geoffrensis and endemic to, the Amazon and Orinoco each other by the falls on the upper , between the marine and freshwater Sotalia at (Amazon drainage River Basin, excepting Rivers Basins. It occurs in six countries of South by the rapids on the Orinoco River between the Amazon estuary is not well defined (Cunha the upper Madeira River drainage) and I. g. America: Bolívia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Samariapo and Puerto Ayacucho, and by the et al. 2005, Caballero et al. 2007) however, due boliviensis (upper Madeira and Beni Rivers Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 126 ] [ 127 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

drainage, above the Teotônio Rapids) (van Bree and no information exists on stock identity or met the main river and few were seen during (Martin & Da Silva 2004a, 2004b). This has & Robineau 1973, Pilleri & Gihr 1977). Best population structure. Cunha and collaborators the zig-zag line-transects in mid-river (Martin obvious implications for the design of future & da Silva (1989a) concurred, believing that are currently working in a broad project & Da Silva 2004a, 2004b). The exact same large-scale surveys. Summary results obtained the defined sub-populations were sufficient for “Phylogeography of tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) scenario was found by Vidal et al. (1997) some by these authors of the strip and line transects management purposes, since they encompassed in the Brazilian Amazon” using mitocondrial 700 km upstream. In effect, therefore, the width are given in Tables 23 & 24 respectively. The discrete geographical areas and as such should and nuclear markers (Microsatellite), aiming to of a major river seems to have little influence on estimated density of botos given by Vidal et al. permit separate treatment of conservation verify the population structure of this species. A the number of botos it holds; since the dolphins (1997) and Martin & da Silva (2004b) is among problems as they pertain to each region. study of mark-recapture in the central Amazon are restricted to a narrow strip on each margin the highest measured to date for any cetacean. suggests that S. fluviatilis present a fission- On the basis of cranium characteristics da fusion society, revealing long-term site fidelity Silva (1994), using canonical discriminant (Da Silva & Martin, unpublished data). Table 23. Density estimates of botos Inia geoffrensis in Brazil. analysis, proposed the classification ofInia into three taxa and two separate species This study Country / Area Date/Water Level Estimate Density Source found substantial differences between animals Abundance in the Beni river system of Bolivia [proposed N= 107; 0.19±0.06 / km Inia geoffrensis. Several long distance August 1979; as the monotypic Inia boliviensis (D‘Orbigny, Solimões River, 490 km (SD) Magnusson et al. 1980 1834)] and all other populations [proposed surveys of both species of riverine dolphins Receding as I. geoffrensis (de Blainville 1817)]. A second in the Amazon have been carried out along its distributional area. However, because of discriminant separated two proposed sub- 346 (CV= 0.12) Inia in the the differences in survey methodology, river study area; species; I. g. geoffrensis in the Amazon River Amazon River, morphology and , no meaningful D = 4.8/ km2 in tributaries, system (van Bree & Robineau 1973) and I. g. bordering Colombia, 5 to 26 June 1993 comparison between the results of different D=2.7 / km2 around Vidal et al. 1997 humboldtiana for the population of the Orinoco Peru and Brazil (High water) surveys can be made, and none provide a basis islands, River system (Pilleri & Gihr 1977). ~120km. for robust estimates of population size (Da Silva D= 2.0 / km2 along main & Martin 2000). banks. Sotalia fluviatilis. The taxonomy of the species S.fluviatilis was recently revised, with A survey covering a distance of 500 km between the re-establishment of S. guianensis based on Manaus and Tefé provided the first detailed Table 24. Summary results of strip transect surveys of Inia geoffrensis carried out along the margins of the main molecular genetics and cranium morphometry long distance survey including boto and tucuxi rivers in six multi-days surveys in central Amazon (from Martin & da Silva 2004a). and morphology (Monteiro-Filho 2002, Cunha (Magnusson et al, 1980). This survey estimated et al. 2005, Caballero et al. 2007, Fettuccia a density of 0.19±0.06 botos per km of river. Total No. of Mean no. of Mean no. Area within Water 2006). The controversy about the boundaries of Almost two decades later, Vidal et al. (1997) Survey Period distance botos botos per km of botos strip (km2) Level (m) each species in the estuary of the Amazon and performed a survey covering 120km of the covered seen of margin per km the possible existence of hybrid individuals in Amazon River bordering Colombia, Peru and a transitional area still exists. Molecular results Brazil producing an estimated density of 4.8 Mar 1999 202.9 32.5 83 0.41 2.55 12.6 of Sotalia from the delta of the Amazon River botos per km2 in main tributaries. Between revealed that these dolphins are genetically March 1999 and April 2001 six multi-day Jun 1999 161.3 24.4 140 0.87 5.75 15.4 much closer to Sotalia from State surveys were carried out covering a total track Oct 1999 172.3 33.7 131 0.76 3.89 3.9 than from the riverine Sotalia geographically line distance of 1402 km in strip transect and closer (Cunha et al. 2005). 810 km in line transect mode in the Central Mar 2000 374.1 56.1 99 0.26 1.76 8.6 Amazon, Brazil (Martin & Da Silva 2004a, The tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis is endemic to the 2004b). As found in common with all other Jul 2000 227.3 33.9 164 0.72 4.84 13.8 Amazon River Basin. Although known in most researchers, botos were disproportionately rivers and lakes of the region, it is little studied, clustered in eddies and where small channels Mar-Apr 2001 263.4 39.5 199 0.76 5.04 12.0 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 128 ] [ 129 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Table 25. A summary result of line transects surveys for Inia geoffrensis carried out in the middle reaches of the found a density of 3.2 tucuxis per km2 in the The increasing fisheries pressure in the Amazon Japurá and Solimões rivers (from Martin & da Silva 2004b). main tributaries. in recent decades has greatly heightened the potential for dolphin/fisheries interactions. Density (numbers / km2) Neither the number of tucuxis killed in fishery Mortality interactions, nor the impact of such mortality Confidence Limit on this dolphin population, is known for any Inia geoffrensis. During the 15 years of Projeto upriver freshwater region. However, the few No. of No. Survey groups Botos’ presence in the Mamirauá Lake System, published records of incidental takes, and the within Survey Effort within Group Water Mean % CV df Lower Upper 315 m very few botos were encountered dead. The authors’ experience in the central Brazilian Period (km of 405 m Size Level of the total was only 26 dead botos and three tucuxis. Amazon, suggest that entrapment is not track) of the track track Of the botos found, 13 died of net-entrapment, very common. In the Amazon River estuary, five due to harpoon or other injuries and 8 of however, the magnitude of catches is substantial, Jun-99 91.2 0.23 54.9 44.8 0.08 0.66 11 1.3±0.14 14 15.4 unknown causes. In an area containing an showing strong seasonality and suggesting that average in the high tens of dolphins, and where the interaction between the fisheries and the Oct-99 118 1.75 23.9 115.5 1.1 2.79 45 1.6±0.11 67 3.9 carcasses are likely to come to people’s attention, tucuxi is indirect, where the dolphins and the these numbers represent an apparent low fisheries are targeting the same prey (Beltrán- mortality. Fishery-related dolphin mortality, in Pedreros 1998). This author found that there Mar-00 89.1 0.35 54.2 64.2 0.13 0.95 11 1±0 11 8.6 and around Mamirauá Reserve area however, is is no intentional capture and that dolphins higher. A study using carcasses collected from are not used as indicators of the presence of Jul-00 133.2 0.55 43.2 61.3 0.24 1.25 17 1.4±0.12 23 13.77 1993-2002 revealed a total of 117 botos and 41 fish. In general, the presence of the dolphins is tucuxis, from which 76% and 78% respectively not welcome during fishing activities since an Mar - 150.6 0.16 47.6 95 0.07 0.39 8 1±0 8 12 Apr 01 were caught in nets and 24% and 22% by incident can result in the end of the trip, with harpoon (Calvimontes & Marmontel 2004). subsequent loss of earnings. Data from Projeto Boto abundance estimates, obtained from minimum counting surveys related to the volume of piracatinga fisheries Biology Sotalia fluviatilis. The abundance and status followed by areas along main banks (2.8) and received by one fish plant of Tefé city, estimated of S. fluviatilis populations is unknown or, at around islands (2.0). Results of line-transect the killing of 1600 botos per fishery season (Da The reproductive anatomy ofInia was described best, based on qualitative assessments of small surveys (200m from the nearest riverbank in Silva & Martin 2007). for the first time by Harrison & Brownell (1971) geographical areas (da Silva and Best, 1994, an area of 170.1km2) gave a mean sighting rate and Harrison et al. (1972). Brownell (1984) 1996). In about 500 km of the Solimões River, of 0.439 (CV=0.27) tucuxi per km –1, a density Sotalia fluviatilis. Nothing is known about reviewed the reproductive characteristics of between Manaus and Tefé, Brazil, the average of 0.895 dolphin/km2 and an abundance of natural mortality of the tucuxi in the Amazon platanistoid dolphins and Best & Da Silva density of animals observed (±SD) was 1.1 ± 152 Sotalia (CV= 0.33). Results of strip transect River Basin. In contrast with the sympatric (1984) presented a preliminary analysis of 0.4 tucuxi/km of river (Magnusson et al. 1981). survey (in lakes, smaller tributaries and canals, boto, the tucuxi is considered to be harmless and reproductive parameters of the two species of Four similar boat surveys from Manaus to in water closer than 200 m from the edge in pleasant by local people, including fishermen. Amazon River dolphins, I. geoffrensis and S. Leticia (about 1,525 km each) gave a mean total an area of 89.6 km2) revealed the overall mean Usually when captured alive in fishing gear the fluviatilis. Ovary maturity of Inia geoffrensis (±SD) of 768 ±104.7/ trip or 1.02 individuals/ sighting rate of 0.41 tucuxi per km –1 and an tucuxi is released unharmed (Da Silva & Best is Type I in which both ovaries mature and km2 (da Silva and Best, 1994). In an area of about abundance of 257 tucuxi (CV= 0.07). Martin 1994). ovulate at the same time (Brownell 1984, 250km2 in the upper Amazon River bordering & da Silva (2004b) conducted six multi-day Harrison & Brownell 1971, Best & da Silva Colombia, Peru and Brazil during high water surveys covering a total track line distance of There are no records of past or recent commercial 1984), while in S. fluviatilis Type II ovulation (June 1993), Vidal et al. (1997) estimated a 1402 km in strip transect and 810 km in line fisheries for the tucuxi in Brazil. Most of the occurs only on the left ovary (Best & Da total of 409 (CV=0.13) Sotalia. The highest transect mode in the Central Amazon, Brazil known causes of mortality of this dolphin Silva 1984). A study of the placenta anatomy density was found in lakes (8.6 tucuxis/ km2), between March 1999 and April 2001 and involve accidental entrapment in fisheries gear. of both species of dolphins revealed that the Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 130 ] [ 131 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

interhemal membrane of the placenta was of to 83.6 cm (X5 = 79.4 ± 3.5 cm) suggest that same month, May, in areas relatively close to Banguera et al. in 2002. Phylogenetic grouping epitheliochorial type (Da Silva et al. 2007). the length at birth is around 80 cm (Da Silva each other (Best & Da Silva 1984). analysis performed on all characterized 1994). haplotypes showed two distinct clades; one If the reproductive cycle of this species is indeed for the Colombian Amazon and Orinoco river Age and body length at sexual Based on the models of Kasuya (1977) and synchronized with seasonal fluctuation in flood systems, the other for the Beni/Mamoré river maturity Perrin et al. (1977), gestation time has been levels, then we might expect calving to peak systems, supporting the proposal to subdivide estimated at about 10.7 to 11.2 months and the 4-6 months out of phase between the Amazon the genus Inia into two distinct allopatric Inia geoffrensis. In a sample of 32 female boto, fetal growth rate at 8.35 cm/month (Best & Da and Orinoco watershed on the one hand, and species (Banguera 2000). ovarian scars were present in both ovaries of all Silva 1984). the more southern river on the other. At present females larger than 174 cm body length. Based there is insufficient information available to A study genetically comparing two groups on the presence of scars in the ovary, the smallest Information on captive live births of two Inia allow this hypothesis to be tested. The majority of botos separated by 55km, in the Negro mature female recorded was 174.5 cm long, 68.5 calves was obtained by Huffmann (1970), of lactating females with a large calf of about River, about 115km from Manaus, revealed kg in weight. A 15 year old female, 184 cm long McCusker (1973) and Caldwell and Caldwell two years old captured alive during the months an absence of population structure, where the and weighing 68.5 kg was found to be lactating (1972) from specimens collected in the 1960s of October/ November in the central Amazon largest variation was observed within groups and pregnant at the same time. The fetus was and 1970s from different areas of the Amazon were also pregnant (Projeto Boto unpublished rather than between groups. The degree of located in the left side of the uterus and the left river system (near Iquitos, Peru; Leticia, data). relationship within groups was low, although ovary had 5 Ca + 1 Cl while the right ovary had Colombia and Manaus, Brazil), and taken to few individuals presented a high degree of only one Ca. The largest immature female was American and European Aquariums for public relationship, suggesting an intense genetic flux 5 years old, 160 cm long and weighed 50 kg. display (Best & Da Silva 1989a, Caldwell et al. Genetics inside the Negro River Basin but restricted Both ovaries were completely smooth without 1989 Collet 1984). The composition of Inia‘s when compared with the other rivers of the any scaring (Da Silva 1994). milk was first presented by Gewalt (1978). Milk Little is known of the genetics of Inia geoffrensis Amazon River Basin. (Gravena 2006). analysis of one female from Central Amazon and no studies have yet been published on the Sotalia fluviatilis. Information is limited presented 6.9% of fat content, 9.6% of protein, genetic structure of this species, the genetic Inia’s chromosomes are cytogenetically similar regarding the reproductive system and the and 176 ng/ml of total mercury, considered very variation within and between populations to other odontocetes (with the exception morphologic characteristics of S.fluviatilis. close to the minimum level of methylmercury or social structure. A study to genetically of P.macrocephalus) since it has a diploid Examination of the weight of the testicles, toxicity (200ng mercury/ml blood) in humans differentiate Inia individuals from four chromosome number of 44 (Kulu 1971). the diameter of the seminiferous tubules, and (Rosas& Lehtil 1996). Colombian rivers using three DNA analysis Balanced translocation in I. geoffrensis without histological analyses of thirteen individuals methods (RFLP, RADP and AFLP) was apparent phenotypic abnormality has been suggest that young males 143 cm in length are All available information on birth size and carried out by Banguera et al. 1996. These observed (Duffield 1977). sexually mature. Above of this length, they can gestation time for S. fluviatilis was presented authors concluded that there was very little be sexually mature but show great testicular by Best & Da Silva (1989a) and Da Silva & genetic variation among the individuals Sotalia fluviatilis. No information of social variation, reflecting strong reproductive Best (1996). According to these authors birth analyzed suggesting the possibility of a high structure in any particular population or genetic seasonality. Females reach sexual maturity size was estimated to be from 71-83 cm after a degree of inbreeding in the Putumayo River variation within and between populations is between 132 and 137 cm and ovulation always gestation of 10.2 months, during the receding Basin population, a higher proximity between available. occurs in the left ovary (Da Silva 1994, 2004). and low water. No milk analysis exists for this individuals from the Orinoco and Guaviare species. rivers, and a strong separation from those of Length at birth, gestation time and fetal growth Putumayo River. Threats Inia geoffrensis. In the Brazilian Amazon sample, the smallest neonate of boto recorded Seasonality of births Another study using mitochondrial D-loop Several studies recognize potential anthropo- was 81 cm long and the largest near-term fetus DNA to compare samples from three genic threats to tucuxis and to botos along its was 66 cm long (Best & Da Silva 1984). Five For botos, calving season is apparently quite geographically separated populations of Inia distribution, but very little has been done to reports of neonates (Huffman 1970, McCuster long, and both mating and parturition are not (from rivers of the Orinoquian Basin, tributaries quantify these threats in terms of the absolute 1973; Caldwell & Caldwell 1972 ,Harrison & well synchronized in the population. An 81 cm of the Amazon River in Colombia and rivers of or relative levels of impact on these species. This

Chapter 1 Brownell 1971, Gewalt 1978), ranging from 76 neonate and a 66 cm fetus were recorded in the the Beni/Mamoré systems) was conducted by is simply because there is insufficient knowledge Chapter 1 [ 132 ] [ 133 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

to allow an objective assessment of such impacts. illumination (Best & da Silva 1989a). The large bought (72 tons) by one of the nine freezing relative magnitude of incidental catches in the The threats to river dolphins in South America, scale capture of the species for its dried eyes and plants of the city of Tefé (total estimated for fisheries in the Brazilian Amazon exist. From listed in Best & da Silva (1989 a,b); Perrin & genitalia to be used as love charms in Brazil in all 9 freezing plants of 650 tons + 350 from the the 13 different types of fishing gear that exist Brownell (1989) and da Silva & Martin (2000), the past was never confirmed and apparently surrounding cities = 1,000 tons) in this area in the Brazilian Amazon, only three may be still exist, however, the main threat today, did not constitute a significant take. Several of Amazon State alone in 2005 (Da Silva & considered dangerous to river dolphins: seine, is the direct killing of the boto for bait. This visits to more than 30 different shops selling Martin 2007). On top of that, commercial and fixed gill nets, and drifting gill net (Da silva activity became evident in Brazil with the new amulets, love charms, and witchcraft items in subsistence fisherman became less tolerant with & Best 1996). Lampara seines are used on millennium. Although no direct catch exists for Manaus in 1998 did not reveal any evidence of botos, killing them as a consequence of the beaches. Fixed gill nets are often set in areas the tucuxi, this riverine species is subject to the commercial use of dolphin body parts in the exponential increase of fishing nets and because where dolphins swim and the mesh size can same threats faced by the sympatric boto. In central Amazon. Informal visits to this type botos can steal and damage fish from the nets, be greater than 10 cm. These types of nets are the central Amazon, more than 30 individuals of shop and markets in different cities of the disturb the fisherman or fishing gear, or just widely used in the local fisheries, varying in caught alive in nets presented some sort of Amazon region in the last three years (2005- because they represent an irresistible target length, height and mesh size, according to the severe healed wound of anthropogenic origin 2008) didn’t reveal any significant change. A (Best & da Silva 1989a; Da Silva & Best 1996). type of fish targeted. The drifting gill net, set (Projeto Boto unpublished Data). recent study using molecular forensics analyzing at the surface and usually with a large mesh, is the dried eyes of presumed botos from different Sotalia fluviatilis. Different from the boto, used mainly to catch large catfish in the main No records exist of natural predation on either markets of the Amazon region revealed that the direct capture of this species for specialty river channels. This gear is the principal cause species, and are implausible except perhaps on the boto amulets sold in these markets are not market doesn’t exist in the Brazilian Amazon of incidental mortality of tucuxi. Although the sick or wounded animals. Wounds caused by from I. geoffrensis, but that a large proportion of with the exception of the Amazon river drifting gill nets are used mostly on the bottom (Serrasalmidae) are not uncommon the analyzed material belonged to the marine estuary (probably S. guianensis). In the central to capture catfish, during the low water period, on these dolphins (da Silva pers. obs.) but it is Sotalia (S. guianensis) incidentally caught in Amazon, while still alive in the net, the tucuxi river depths are minimal and the top of these improbable that piranhas will attack and kill a the Amazon estuary fisheries. The remaining is usually released unharmed by the fisherman. nets are often at a depth where the tucuxis healthy boto or tucuxi. products were from domestic animals such Dead animals however, when available, are also commonly swim. as pigs (Sus scrofa) and sheep (Ovis aries); not used as bait to catch piracatinga. Because of Direct a single fetish product analysed came from I. this species’ behavior of avoiding beaches and The amount of net in the water, number of According to the Action Plan for the Cetacean geoffrensis (Gravena et al. 2008). Similar results shallow areas plus its small size and fast speed, fishing boats operating or the quantity of fish World 2002-2010, (IUCN 2003) direct were found from the Mercado Ver-O-Peso in the tucuxi is not an easy target. disembarked in the main ports of the region exploitation is usually driven by the demand Belém using dry genitalia, where all samples may provide an index of the probability of for products, whether this means food to be analyzed were from the marine Sotalia. The dolphin dry organs and teeth available at incidental takes of botos and tucuxis. In consumed (subsistence) or meat, blubber, oil the Ver-O-Peso market in Belém (Pará State) 1984 a total of over 33,000 metric tons of fish and other commodities to be sold commercially In the past, botos were protected by the legends near the Amazon river estuary are mainly from were disembarked in the State of Amazonas; in national and/or international markets. In and traditional beliefs of the inhabitants of the marine tucuxi (Salvatore e equipe) caught representing a four-fold increase over 26 years Brazil, the genital organs and the eyes of river Amazon (Slater 1994, Cravalho 1999, Smith accidentally in the fisheries at the mouth of of fisheries activities in the Amazon (Best & da dolphins were sold as love charms (Best & da 1985). These traditions however, appear to have the Amazon and represent a small proportion Silva 1989 a). Silva, 1989a) and the teeth and some bones were eroded in some areas. In the last decade, a new of the available carcasses. No direct capture of used by artcraft makers to produce bracelets direct exploitation of the boto for use as bait dolphins for organ trade has been confirmed. In 2005, (Da Silva & Martin 2000) 16 years and necklaces, and the oil is used for different to catch the catfish Callophysus macropterus later, the statistics of fish landings in Manaus, purposes. This occurs despite the existence of (piracatinga or mota) started and created a Indirect Tefé and Belém were better controlled and the federal laws protecting these species (Ibama new fisheries market of selling boto carcasses Bycatches (Incidental mortality) in fisheries available data more realistic. In Manaus market 2001). to piracatinga fishermen. According to local Inia geoffrensis & Sotalia fluviatilis only, the landings were of 30-35,000 metric fishermen, one carcass of about 150kg can Very little is known about non-natural tons of fish per year. Lampara and strait haul Inia geoffrensis. In Brazil, during colonial catch about 300 kg of catfish. The killing of mortality in these species. Most reported seine, purse seine and fixed gill nets are the most times, Inia geoffrensis was captured by the more than 1600 botos was estimated based boto and tucuxi mortality is due to fishery important nets used in these fisheries (Batista Portuguese for oil to be used in lamps for on the catch of 50% of the total piracatinga interaction, but no estimates of the absolute or 1998). In Tefé alone, the annual production Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 134 ] [ 135 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

recorded in the market was about 1,500 t. Fixed fuel in the water. These effects of noise and a second net behind the first one in operation [MW]) are already functioning, in addition gillnets and purse seine are responsible for c. pollution certainly affect the dolphins and their to stop the dolphins going inside the “sac”, to 6 more small reservoirs. A total of seventy 39-40% by weight (J. P. Viana pers. comm). In prey, but there is no quantification of these use of a sling with palm seeds or bottle tops more are planned in Brazilian Amazônia by Belém, at the mouth of the Amazon the annual effects and evaluation on the reaction on the as bullets, shooting the animals with guns, the ELETRONORTE system, and others landing of fish in 1996 was c. 10,500 t; some dolphins. or throwing small home-made bombs in the are planned by state governments and private 85% of these fish came from drifting and fixed water. However, and more recently, two more firms (Fearnside 1995). According to the gill nets (R. Barthen pers. comm.). There is no obvious sign of negative reaction techniques have started to be employed in Ibama site (www.ibama.org.br), under the of botos to the human permanent presence Central Amazon to remove the botos from the actual government development program PAC in water. However, botos show a distinct fishing area: one or more botos are caught and (Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento) Accidental takes preference for bends and curves of the rivers tied up with a rope to a tree near the edge of today, there exist 45 projects of hydroelectric Accidental takes are associated with development (small bays), where the current is slow, to rest the river or lake, far from the nets; the call of power plants awaiting the expedition of the projects such as oil prospecting, transportation, and socialize, the same sort of place used by the captive boto attracts the other ones away environmental permits to start operating in the construction of navigational waterways using humans to place their floating houses and tie from the nets. The animal can be left tied to be Amazon region. A further concern is that due dynamite, irrigation dams where botos become up their boats. Telemetry results revealed that used over a few days, but is killed at the end of to lack of water flushing, dams can concentrate stranded when the water is drawn down by the botos are sensitive to the noise and constant the fishing activity and the carcass can be used pollutants, which then enter the aquatic food pumps, dams for hydroelectric plants, mining activities of humans, thus avoiding places with as bait or discarded. The other technique is chain. on river beds etc. There are no estimates of the floating houses during the day, preferentially poisoning the botos, throwing fish stuffed with number of dolphins involved in these activities using these areas at night (Martin et al. 2004). poison to the animals near the nets. There is Contaminants in the Brazilian Amazon. This sort of effect did not occur in the same no information on this sort of behaviour from A few micropollutants (e.g.methylmercury, type of areas without human houses or boats. fishermen towards the tucuxi, but the poison polychlorinated biphenyls and chlorinated Human & boats The initial effect of this long term occupation used can also affect this dolphin and other pesticides) flow through food chains and they Despite the increasing human pressure in the is very small for the dolphins and certainly is aquatic organisms. may go through a concentration increase as Amazon region, the increase in size of the not threatening their lives, but can potentially they reach high trophic levels, resulting in fishing fleet and number of speedboats, and interfere with daily movements and behavior of biomagnification (Connell 1989, Gray 2002). the potential for boat collisions, there are no the species, changing the patterns of use of the Habitat loss and degradation reports or evidence that this is becoming a areas and reducing the available habitat. Mercury problem to river dolphins in Brazil. However, Dams Toxicologically, mercury can be considered there is no systematic collection of data related Competition & culls The potential consequences of dams for the one of the most dangerous trace elements. It to this subject. Cetaceans are acoustic animals In Brazil, some fishermen kill botos in retaliation survival of the botos were discussed by Best can be naturally found in the environment, using sound to navigate and to perform other not only because of the competition over & Da Silva (1989a). Dams have a major in different forms such as: elemental essential behaviors (Tyack & Miller 2002). resources, but mainly because of the damage impact on fish fauna, thus affecting the food mercury (Hg0); inorganic mercury (Hg2+); In the Brazilian Amazon, the main way of to their fishing gear and to the fish entangled resources available to dolphins. They also break monomethylmercury (CH3Hg+); and transporting people and their products are by in the nets, as well as because botos disturb the up dolphin populations into smaller isolated dimethylmercury (CH3HgCH3). Mining, boat, using the rivers as highways to move from fisheries. This problem is increasing not only groups, thereby profoundly influencing the fossil fuel combustion, solid incineration, one place to the next. The number of boats that because botos are learning to use the nets in genetic structure and movements of the species, fungicide and fertilizing application, as well navigate in the Amazon main channel everyday the same way as the fisherman (corralling the and rendering each group more vulnerable to as solid discharge in sanitary embankment is not known, but small dugouts canoes to large fish against a wall), but due to the escalating extinction through disease or environmental (batteries and thermometers) constitute tourist vessels to petroleum and cargo freighters number of nets being used in the region and stress. some of the anthropogenic activities that are can be seen navigating from the mouth of the deployed at the same time in some fishing responsible for a considerable part of mercury Amazon River up to Iquitos in Peru. These grounds. A few strategies are traditionally There is an ambitious plan to supply energy released into the environment (ATSDR 1999). boats and vessels, not only produce enormous employed by fishermen to drive the botos away: to southern Brazil from the Amazon (e.g. A total environmental emission of mercury amount of noise, but also pollute the water with beating the surface of water with the paddles to Goodland 1980, Cagnin 1985, Fearnside (Hg) in the Brazilian Amazon was estimated to human waste, dripping oil and other types of keep the dolphins away from the nets, setting 1995). Four large dams (> 10 megawatt be around 2000 tons between 1979 and 1996 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 [ 136 ] [ 137 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

(Malm et al. 1997). Approximately 65-85% of which include hepatomegaly, thymic atrophy, tanks are difficult to monitor, although it can the conditioning factors are favorable (Marvulo this Hg entered the atmosphere as vapor during immunosuppression, neurotoxicity and dermal cause as much as damage as crude oil spills. et al. 2003). the burning process of gold amalgam, and toxicity (WHO 1993, Hoivik & Safe 1998). In one decade (1995-2005) six oil spills were widely dispersed. The remaining Hg entered recorded in the central Amazon resulting in Climate change the aquatic environment directly (Pfeiffer et al. Organochlorine pesticides, such as DDT a total of more than 20.5 m3 of oil into the The prognosis of the effects of climate change 1993). Anthropogenic sources of heavy metals (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), besides waters of the Amazon. The main causes of for the Amazon is very dramatic, suggesting (e.g. gold mining activities) in the Amazon add being cancer promoters, may disrupt endocrine these accidents were the lack of maintenance a desertification of extensive areas of the to high natural levels that have built up from and central nervous system. and inspection of the equipment used during rainforest, severe changes in the rain systems background deposits over millions of years operations of transferring and transporting the (Marengo 2006) and, as a consequence (among (Pfeiffer & de Lacerda 1988, Rouletet al. 1996, PCB measurement from four Amazonian oil and their derivatives by ship (IPAAM-2000). several), reducing habitat areas and available Fearnside 1999). Methylation is occurring in dolphins (Inia geoffrensis), 3 from Mamirauá Considering the long distances over which oil prey for aquatic organisms in general. Effects reservoirs, as indicated by high mercury levels area (Solimoes/ Japurá) and one from Madeira must be transported in the Amazon, more of climate changes however, are very complex in fish at Tucuruí dam (Porvari 1995). In a River were performed. _PCB levels varied accidents are inevitable and its consequences to and difficult to allow a direct connection with sample of 101 predatory fish taken from the between 151 and 1314 ng/g lip wt in the aquatic mammals need to be evaluated. health and wellbeing of cetaceans and their reservoir, 92% had Hg levels higher than the individuals from Mamirauá area (Solimões/ prey. The workshop sponsored by the IWC in 0.5mg Hg/kg fresh weight safety limit (Leino Japurá) while the one from Madeira River, the Diseases 1996 recognized this problem, emphasizes the & Lodenius 1995). As an apex predator, botos _PCB concentration measured was 3216 ng/g The existing literature of diseases on river precautionary principle, and urges actions to are likely to accumulate the highest levels lip wt (Torres et al. 2007). dolphins in the wild is very scarce. The large reduce emission of ozone-depleting chemicals of mercury, though the direct effects of this and greenhouse gases. proportion of parasites described to the boto burden on health and reproduction (if any) DDT determination in blubber samples from is species specific, with one exception, of the have not been investigated. Live-captures for captive display and/ the same four Amazonian dolphins (Inia trematode Pholeter gastrophilus, which is also or research geoffrensis) above was performed. From the 3 known from marine dolphins. Respiratory Mercury concentrations in tissues of four Live capture for public display of cetaceans botos from Mamirauá Reserve area, _DDT problems in wild and captive animals are also specimens of freshwater dolphins, two I. does not occur in Brazil and is an illegal caused by trematodes. Skin lesions and ulcers geoffrensis from the Japurá River (one adult concentrations in the adipose tissue samples activity (Ibama 2001). Live-captures for female and one calf), one juvenile from varied from 190 to 3176 ng/g lipid weight (lip are very common. One of the most common research, under special permit issued by Ibama/ the Madeira River, and one tucuxi (Sotalia wt.) while in the dolphin from Madeira River, pathogenic diseases is golf-ball disease, caused ICMBio, occurs at the Mamirauá Sustainable fluviatilis) from the Negro River were the _DDT concentration verified was 2430 by (Da Silva et al. 2008). Development Reserve (RDSM), where once examined. Samples from the liver, kidney and ng/g lip wt (Torres et al. 2007, Lailson-Brito et Twisted, broken and deformed mandibles, per year a number of individuals of boto and muscle of all individuals and the brain from the al. 2008). The acceptable daily intake of DDT dental caries and teeth anomalies are very tucuxi of different age and sex are captured, adult female boto, were analyzed (Lailson-Brito is 0.025-mg/kg bw/day. common in the boto (Bohórquez-Mantilla & examined and sampled (sex determination, et al. 2008). Mercury concentration (in mg/kg Da Silva 2008, Da Silva et al. 2008) although measurements, weight, collection of blood, ww) in the brain was 0.07; varied from 35.89 in Oil the causes are unknown. skin, pathologies, branding, photos, and liver of the adult female to 0.09 mg/kg (ww) in Oil exploration along the main channels of ultrasound images), and are released at the place the kidney of the calf. The tucuxi presented an the Amazon and oil spills are still some of the Preliminary results of a health survey of a boto of capture and monitored daily thereafter (Da extremely high hepatic mercury concentration most dangerous threats to dolphins and for population in the central Amazon revealed that Silva & Martin 2000). Up to November 2008, (215.97 mg/kg ww). the species of fish used by these cetaceans in the animals surveyed (N= 51) tested negative the Projeto Boto has marked and monitored a their diet. Information on these events has not for Campilobacter bacteria, commonly found total of 471 dolphins. Organochlorine compounds, been recorded, as it should be in the Amazon in captive Amazonian manatees (Projeto PCB´s and DDTs region. The Brazilian Petroleum Company Boto unpublished data). However, serological Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are mainly (PETROBRAS) doesn’t make this type of analysis using MAT (Galton et al. 1965) Dolphin & tourism used as dielectric fluid as well as in heat information available. Records of routine indicated two serovars in wild botos, some exchange systems (WHO,1993). It produces leakage from boats, petroleum cargo and the authors, suggesting that leptospirosis can Amazon river dolphins in Brazil are widespread cleaning and washing of the petroleum cargo became of a clinic importance to the species if and easily observed at the surface, spend

Chapter 1 a number of effects in organisms, some of Chapter 1 [ 138 ] [ 139 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

several weeks around the same area and can increase the protection and conservation of the hold the piracatinga illegal in Brazil, but it was associations, presenting interesting talks and be very pink when an adult is showing a very species, although to date, the species was not not implemented. promoting activities to them and their families, inquisitive behavior approaching boats and included in any of them. The Brazilian Action showing the importance of the dolphins in floating houses. These factors make them an Plan for Aquatic Mammals of Brazil (Ibama Incidental mortality in fisheries / the aquatic food chain and the importance to ideal species for tourism purposes. For a long 2001) provides an extensive list of International Indirect effects conserve them. time in the Amazon the boto was considered and National (Federal, State and Municipal) In Brazil, with the establishment of the “Salário a magic creature and the local people didn’t laws, decrees and ordinances related to Aquatic defeso” - a salary that the government pays to Accidental takes like to approach or interact with dolphins. Mammals in Brazilian waters. A specific the fisherman during the months that fishing There are no estimates of the number of However, in the last few decades, with the new Federal Law that forbids the harassment, activities are closed to protect the reproductive freshwater dolphins involved in accidental wave of colonization of the region, the new hunting, fishing or capture of small cetaceans, migration of the fish – it became easier to takes in Brazil. Today there are few studies settlers didn’t embrace or adopt the taboos and pinnipeds and sirenians in national waters (Lei identify the number of active fisherman per of population size and habitat use of botos in traditional prohibitions, so negative encounters Nº 7643, de 18 de dezembro de 1987) exists, year, the number and capacity of fishing boats hydroelectric dam reservoirs, but the results are and interactions became more intense. Today but the enforcement of this law is not effective. and other important information related to the not available yet. Despite the huge program of there are two well known places that are using Topics of research and management to be fisheries, since all fisherman and boats need oil extraction and oil pipelines in the Amazon, the botos as a very profitable tourist attraction; in given priority are listed in the report of the to be registered at the fisherman association no assessment for potential impact on the Novo Airão, a town at 115 km far from Manaus, Workshop on Biology and Conservation of the called “Colonia de Pescadores”. However, the dolphins or its prey was conducted. No direct and at the Ariaú River, 60 km from Manaus and Platanistoid dolphins (Wuhan, China, 1986) volume of fish caught and any incidental catch evaluation of mining activities exists and the 55 distant from Novo Airão, where a program (Perrin & Brownell 1989), in the reports of the is not reported. In order to get more reliable same is true for any other man-produced of hand-feeding and swimming with dolphins IWC meeting in Adelayde (Australia 2005), information on incidental catches of dolphins activity that affects the dolphins directly. are being held. Genetic molecular studies of and, specific to Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia it is necessary to work closely with fisherman these individuals revealed that the animals of fluviatilisin the Brazilian Action Plan. the two groups were not closely related and the groups were exclusively male (Gravena 2006). Direct exploitation In both sites, there is no establishment of rules In the last five years, several letters and open Table 26. Threats for river dolphins in Brazil. and operation procedures on how the tourists statements in official Ibama meetings and can interact with the animals. By law, in Brazil, scientific congresses, as well as interviews to hand-feeding programs and swimming with radio and national and international media, Threats Location Description dolphins is not legal, but the local authorities expressed the worries of the increased killing Direct do not reinforce the existing Law. There is no of botos in the Amazon. In May 2007, during regulation to this sort of activity to limit the the IWC meeting another alert was presented Records are mainly from below Botos are being killed and the Manaus up to Tabatinga, at the carcasses used as bait to catch Killing for bait impact on the animals. (Martin & da Silva 2008) for urgent action border of Brazil, Colombia and piracatinga, and in small scale, other from the international scientific community. Peru. catfish. During the 17th Biennial Conference of Marine Mammals in Cape Town, two presentations Tefé and Fonte Boa area (1) (1)Giving poisoned fish to the botos Possible solutions to with reports from several other near the nets Deliberate killing conservation problems brought to the attention of the public the killing places along their distribution (2)Shooting with gun of botos in Brazil and the scale of these events (2 & 3). (3)Harpooning Existing legislation (da Silva & Martin 2007, Serrano et al. 2007). Hydroeletric dams construction A summary of national laws and international Recently the Ibama/ICMbio (March 2008) isolating botos groups and stopping Habitat destruction Madeira and Tocantins rivers agreements affecting river dolphins in South organized a meeting to understand the process fish movements, thus reducing food America was presented by Atkins (1989). and to evaluate the dimension of this killing items. Best & da Silva (1989a) indicated a series of of botos and to find alternative solutions. The Indirect international agreements and conventions main recommendation was to make the use in which I. geoffrensis could be included to of the box or cage (“gaiola”) used to catch and Chapter 1 Incidental catches in fisheries All over the Amazon region Entangle and waiting nets Chapter 1 [ 140 ] [ 141 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

commercial trade allowed) to avoid the illegal Recomendations Threats Location Description exportation of dolphin carcasses to be used as Indirect bait or meat in other countries of the Amazon Research region. • Increase the life history studies Madeira and Tapajós rivers, Heavy metals (mercury), (reproduction, maternal investment, Pollution (Micropollutants) and several undetermined Organochlorates, DDT, PCB’s from survivalship and mortality). rivers agricultural activities Conservation initiatives • Definition of stocks/ population along the Contamination by Leaking of boats and engines; Between Coari and Manaus Increase the life history knowledge of the species distributional area of the species. hydrocarbonates washing oil tanks, oil spills, in order to increase measures of protection of the species and their critical habitat. • Establishment of the home range of the Mining for gold, gravel and sand, contaminating the environment with species. Madeira, Tapajós, Negro and Mining activities heavy metal (mercury); destruction To find a way to increase the financial support other rivers of the river bed and increasing the of biological research of these species. This is • Population and conservation genetic suspended sediment. important when considering the size of their studies. distributional area, the difficulties in traveling As a consequence of petrochemical in the Amazon region and the basic needs of • Determination of the social structure Increasing boat traffic Between Coari and Manaus activities; exploitation and transport the two species of Amazon dolphins. of oil and gas. Education To stimulate young biologists to study these • Work with the local government fascinating animals, providing support for Educational Departments to include in Legal status Sotalia fluviatilis. This species was for a the establishment of new scientific groups in their programs of biology and conservation, long time classified as “Insufficiently Known”. different areas of the region. information on the Amazon river dolphins Inia geoffrensis. Before 1991 Inia geoffrensis Today it is in the conservation category “Data was classified as “Insufficiently Known” Deficient” (IUCN 2008), based on the absence Provide incentive for the publication of the • Produce stimulating material such as (equivalent to Data Deficient category today) of population information along most of its accumulative data collected from these species booklets and folders to be distributed by the IUCN. During the River Dolphin distribution. In Brazil, Ibama also classified along their distributional area in peer review among the students in the public schools. meeting in China in 1986 it was proposed to the species in the same category (Ibama 2001). journals. increase the conservation level for the species For conservation purposes, Cunha et al. (2005) • Training the teachers on the subject, so to “Vulnerable” (Perrin and Brownell 1989), suggested the inclusion of S. fluviatilis, the first Produce attractive publications with easy they can use the information with their mainly due to the threats imposed by several non-platanistoid dolphin to live exclusively in access and comprehension of the different students. mega-development projects planned in the freshwater in a category of riverine dolphins. aspects of the dolphin’s biology and behavior. Amazon region by the Brazilian government. These would be distributed among fisherman Conservation In 2008 the species was reclassified as “Data and their families, school communities and • Promote the awareness of the existing Deficient” due to the lack of information in the CITES fisherman associations, aiming to increase legislation protecting these dolphins among large part of its distribution (IUCN 2008). awareness of the local people on these two the local fisherman and stimulate the Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis are species of dolphins. enforcement of the existing laws. Although still widespread in the rivers of the listed on Appendix II of the Convention on region, none of the threats listed in 1986 (Best International Trade in Endangered Species of • Guarantee the integrity of the habitat & da Silva 1989a) were removed; instead, wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), meaning that important for the survival of the species. several became more severe and new ones trade is allowed, but regulated through export appeared. As a consequence, the National licensing. Environmental Agency (Ibama), kept Inia Chapter 1

geoffrensis as “Vulnerable” (Ibama 2001). We propose an up listing to Appendix I (no Chapter 1 [ 142 ] [ 143 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Chapter 2 Summary of threats for river dolphins in South America: Past, present and future The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Summary of threats for river dolphins in South America: Past, present and future

Fernando Trujillo, Enrique Crespo, Paul van Damme, Saulo Usma, Diana Morales-Betancourt, Alison Wood & Marcela Portocarrero

In the early eighties a great concern about these years some documents were published. the future of river dolphins led the Cetacean These documents were and are currently the Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival lead information to all researchers involved Commission to concentrate their efforts on in research, conservation and educational strategy to deal with those concerns. In 1986, projects. These documents are the 1994-1998 the Workshop on Biology and Conservation Action Plan for the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Platanistoid Dolphins was the first (Reeves & Leatherwood 1994), International step to asses issues related with threats and Whaling Commission Scientific Committee recommendations for the survival of river Report 2000, and the 2002-2010 Conservation dolphins in the entire world (Perrin et al. 1989). Action Plan the World’s Cetaceans (Reeves et This meeting encouraged some researchers in al. 2003). South America to start long term river projects related to river dolphins, especially in Brazil and At the 1986 Workshop, the Amazon River Colombia. For almost ten years some important Dolphin or Boto (Inia geoffrensis) was contributions about the distribution, biology considered less common than the Tucuxi Chapter 2 and identification of threats were made. During (Sotalia fluviatilis), the other freshwater South Chapter 2 [ 146 ] [ 147 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

American dolphin species, and therefore Inia results and the commitment of researchers are leading fishermen to despair and to use commercialization of mota is occurring in geoffrensis was the only one included in the and conservationist organizations are getting fishing techniques that can be harmful to other Colombia, conforming a commercialization Report of the Workshop. Both species were stronger each day. aquatic species, as is the case of river dolphins network starting by dolphin hunters, fishermen, included in reports and action plans thereafter, and occasionally river otters. The decrease gathering centers along the Amazon river in which many direct and indirect threats to the Summarized in this chapter are the main threats in the amount of appropriate sized fish, the (Brazil) big ships that transport the mota to species were determined and recommendations to river dolpins in South America and the end increase in working hours on the river and the Leticia, main gathering centers, main markets on these issues were made. Both threats and of the document a chart is included showing identification of potential competition in the and consumers (Colombia). Dolphin kills recommendations have changed over time the different Action Plans and Conservation activity of fishing are endangering dolphins. are being monitored by the INPA Brazilian according to reality and the new information on Strategies and the threats to each species and Many threats are related to this scenario: research group in the Mamiraua Reserve (Da dolphins and their areas of distribution. Issues recommendations regarding each issue. Silva & Martin 2008). like the lack of information regarding ecology, 1. The use of long nets across the river and in the behavior, abundance and density estimations, mouth of streams and some lakes increases At present, Mota fishermen and traders confirm non-standardized data, incidental and direct Conflict with fisheries the chance of dolphins getting entangled that mota fish make up almost 80% of their mortality due to fisheries and the review of and drowning. production. A small percentage of catches take taxonomic classification for the genus Inia, This is one of the highest concerns and has place in Venezuela and Peru, the fish being are some of the current topics written down in been reported in every document related to 2. The dolphins, specifically Inia, are regarded traded in that country and Colombia. Action Plans and Conservation Strategies, and conservation of both species. The problem is as a strong competitor for resources. In some in accordance to this the same recommendations based on the overfishing taking place in almost areas dolphins steal or damage fish in nets, Since 2005, attempts have been made to are formulated. Today almost 20 year later, all rivers of the basins of Amazon and Orinoco. injuring the fishermen. People usually resort implement initiatives among fishermen and those efforts and recommendations are yielding The overexploitation of the aquatic resources to killing or hurting the animal in many traders to stop this killing and to introduce ways. They get shot, poisoned, hit or in the alternative baits, but there have been no results best case they are frightened with sounds or yet. The main facts of this new threat for river lemon drops are applied to their eyes. dolphins are:

1. Almost 200.000 tons of the Mota fish Deliberate killing of river dolphins (Calophysus macropterus) is traded from Brazil to Colombia every year, and most of During the last 10 years, the mota fish them are captured using dolphins and black Calophysus macropterus (Pisces, Pimelodidae) caimans as bait. have appeared in the national market of Colombia, replacing the depleted capaz fish 2. Prices of the fish increase dramatically along (Pimelodus grosskopfii) that inhabited the the trade chain, with very little value in the Magdalena river in Colombia. To catch the region, and high prices in big cities. mota fish, dolphins and black caimans are being killed in the Brazilian Amazon to be used as 3. In the big cities most of the consumers do bait to attract the scavenger fish (Trujillo et al. not know how the mota fish is caught. 2005, Gómez-Salazar et al. 2008, Flores et al. 2008). The capture of dolphins especially Inia 4. An estimate of 1500 dolphins are being geoffrensis are increasing resulting in serious killed each year only in the area of Mamiraua threats for their population (Da Silva & Martin (Brazil) (Da Silva & Martin 2008). 2008). 5. Not statistic data of fisheries is available Fishery and dolphin kills is occurring in the Brazilian Amazon to evaluate the

Chapter 2 Figure 14. Dead river dolphin. mainly in the Brazilian Amazon and the amount of Mota fish caught. Chapter 2 [ 148 ] [ 149 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

6. Because the media display the problem Use of dolphin’s products especially in Manaus and Bogotá, D.C., dolphin hunters are killing dolphins in Use of dolphin products was first reported in other areas as the river Purus (Brazil) and 1986 concerning both species (Perrin et al. 1989). Related documents have reported on then sale the carcasses in the black markets. N that issue since. Local communities use eyes, 7. The main market has been in Colombia, but teeth, genitalia and skin. Oil is extracted from Caracas during the last four years this fish is being the skin in order to use it against respiratory VENEZUELA Georgetown sold as well as in Sao Paulo, Bahia and Minas diseases. Other body parts are used as love Orinoco Atlantic Ocean Gerais under a different name (Pirosca). charms and in traditional medicine (Best & GUYANA Da Silva 1989, Trujillo et al. 2006). This threat Bogotá was probably important during the 70s and 80s 8. Now the situation is more difficult regarding COLOMBIA and in many cases corresponded to incidental Vaupés Trombetas the spread of the market and also the areas Paru catches of dolphins in nets. Branco Macapá where dolphins are being killed (Figure 15). Jari Caquetá Apaporis Negro Quito Japurá Para As regards to the geographic scale of this Belém Dam construction ECUADOR Napo Putumayo Amazon Tigre fishery, the deliberate killing of river dolphins Pastaza Santarém Manaus may be the most serious threat for these species Iquitos Xingu It constitutes an important threat for the species. Iriri Imperatriz at present. This situation requires the attention Marañón Dams isolate dolphin populations and reduce Javary Tapajós of the Governments and specific regulations for Juruá Madeira the amount of consumible fish, interfering with Tetes de Pires Purus Ucayali this fishery. their migration. The vast number of projects Huallaga in the Amazon and a few in the Venezuelan Porto Machado Pucallpa Rio Branco Juruena Orinoco and the poor or almost lacking Velho Arinos Acre Direct catching inclusion of dolphins and other freshwater Tambo Guaporé Tocantins Ene species in plans prior to the construction, show Lima Mantaro Madre de Dios M a

moré From the 50’s to the 70’s several dolphins (Inia that there is not governmental willingness to Apurímac Cusco Beni and Sotalia) were caught for the purpose of prevent environmental catastrophes such as the PERU Araguaia Grandre Brasília display in aquariums. During the 90´s some extinction of charismatic aquatic species in their La Paz aquariums in the United States approached countries and in the neighboring ones. Brazil is Cochabamba Santa Cruz the Government of Venezuela to buy some Inia probably the only country that has constructed BRAZIL geoffrensis, but international lobbying stopped large dams such as the Belo Monte, Balbina, 2 BOLIVIA these operations. This bears witness to the poor Tucuri with an area of more than 6.000 km legal control in each country, to the violation (Goulding, Barthem & Ferreira 2003, Fearside Rio de Janeiro 2006), and with active plans to build more of the World Association Zoos and Aquariums than 45 new dams, including the Jirau and San Ethic Code, where it is clearly stated that Antonio ones in the River Madeira, affecting members must “endeavor to ensure that the river dolphins and other aquatic species that source of animals is confined to those born have migrations. River dolphin research groups in human care and this will be best achieved Killing of dolphins areas by direct zoo to zoo conduct”, and to the fact that conventions and international agreements Hydro-way construction Figure 15a. Map showing the Mota fishing and killing of dolphin areas, river dolphin research groups and aren‘t really being observed. Most recently refrigeration distribuction centers. the catch and sale of river dolphins has been This is a potential threat for the whole area Chapter 2

reported in Peru. and it is motivated by economic interests Chapter 2 [ 150 ] [ 151 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

and expansion of markets. This is the case of Water pollution Brazil and the soybeans production looking for mechanisms of exportation from central The increasing rate of human population is and southern states to international markets increasing water pollution levels resulting from (Goulding, Barthem & Ferreira 2003). agriculture, industry and other anthropogenic N Colombia and Venezuela have proposed along activities. This threat has been reported in 2000 Caracas the last 30 years the interest of a water way regarding both species and also on 2003 for Inia VENEZUELA along the River Meta to connect the Andes (IWC 2000, Reeves et al. 2003). Population Georgetown Orinoco Atlantic Ocean in the Atlantic Ocean. This project involves increase was documented as a threat especially GUYANA the construction of ports along the river and in Amazonian areas belonging to Colombia Bogotá the transformation of the flooded pulses that and Brazil. In Ecuador, this is also a threat and COLOMBIA will affect reproductive migrations of fish and it is mainly due to the industrial expansion of reduction of sand banks affecting reproduction oil companies in the Amazonian area. Human Vaupés Trombetas Paru Branco Macapá of turtles, birds and caimans. Alternative population growth has a similar pattern in all Jari Caquetá Apaporis Negro proposals such as a railway had emerged as a countries in the Amazon River Basin, with Quito Japurá Para Belém less negative environmental solution for the large deforested areas along the river shore. ECUADOR Napo Putumayo Amazon transportation of goods along the region. Tigre Pastaza Santarém Manaus Iquitos Xingu Marañón Iriri Imperatriz Mercury from gold extraction Javary Tapajós Landscape transformation and Juruá Madeira Tetes de Pires deforestation The use of this heavy metal is having an Purus Ucayali Huallaga impact not only in the areas where gold is Porto Machado Different levels of habitat transformation are being extracted, but in areas far away from the Pucallpa Rio Branco Juruena Velho Arinos Acre affecting the ecological integrity of the Amazon extraction site. Mercury is a bio-accumulative Tambo Guaporé Tocantins and Orinoco River Basins. Deforestation element. After being released in the water, in Ene Lima Mantaro Madre de Dios M process is dramatic in Brazil and Peru due the form of methyl-mercury, it attaches to the a

moré Apurímac Cusco to logging and commercial agriculture. In Beni sediment, algae and macrophytes that are all PERU Araguaia Brazil the main threat for the forest has been part of the food chain. It means that the element Grandre La Paz Brasília deforestation by cattle ranching, and more will eventually reach dolphins, otters and recently biofuel crops, specifically soyabeans, human beings. This threat has been evaluated Cochabamba Santa Cruz that provides economic and politic stimulation extensively in the Amazon, especially in Brazil BRAZIL BOLIVIA for new highways and infrastructure projects, (Martinelli et al. 1988; Lacerda & Salomons which accelerate deforestation patterns 1992, Nriagu 1993) Regarding aquatic Rio de Janeiro Andersen et al. 2002). Between 2000 and 2006 species, most research has been conducted on Brazil lost nearly 15.000 km2 of forest in the fish (Bidone et al. 1997, Peixoto-Boischio et Amazon, and the process appears not to be al. 2000, Trujillo, Gómez & Alonso 2008), abating. showing high concentrations of mercury (Table 27) . The main ecologic impact of deforestation in aquatic ecosystems is associated to the Oil exploitation and production Figure 15b. Map showing the Main markets where the Mota fish is distributed and the commercial routs for reduction of alocton food for fish, especially in the species. small tributaries where an important number Oil exploration and exploitation are taking of species rely on the provision of seeds and place in most of the countries where river

Chapter 2 fruits from the flooded forest. dolphins are located. Perforations and use of Chapter 2 [ 152 ] [ 153 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Table 27. Values of Mercury found on fish in different geographic areas. that can end in injuries for dolphins and people Despite being located only approximately 10 (Pinto de Sá Alves et al. 2009, Trujillo 2009, meters from one of the city’s main streets, the Romagnoli et al. 2010). restaurant is located inside the limits of the Geographic Area Hg (ug.g-1) Reference Anavilhanas National Park area (Pinto de Sá Feeding and swim-with-botos activities are Alves et al. 2009). Erie Lake, Canada 0,20 – 0,79 Mitra (1986) promoted to tourists visiting the Brazilian Amazon and both activities have increased over The feeding of wild dolphins creates significant Niigata, Japon 2,60 – 6,60 Inskip & Piotrowski (1995) the past decade. Tourists are now able to feed risks, both for the dolphins and for the tourists wild botos at many locations in the Brazilian and these dangers are evident at Novo Airão. Tapajós, Amazon (Brazil) 0,15 – 0,73 Padberg et al. (1991) Amazon and this lucrative activity is spreading There are no strict regulations, inadequate to new locations all the time. In many cases, infrastructure supporting this interaction and Madeira, Amazon 0,21 – 2,70 Pfeiffer et al. (1991) wild botos have already become habituated to no specialized employee training or surveillance human contact. of the activity to minimize risks. Several cases of Lakes in Finlandia 0,21 – 1,80 Mannio et al. (1984) potentially harmful human behaviour have also The most established location is at Novo been observed such as attempting to restrain Airão, a small town on the southern banks of or ride the dolphins, striking the dolphins Lakes Sweden 0,68 – 0,86 Bjorklund et al. (1984) the Negro River 115 km northwest of the city and feeding inappropriate objects. Over of Manaus. Locals have regularly fed botos time, competition amongst the provisioned Carajás, Amazon (Brazil) 0,30 – 2,30 Lacerda et al. (1994) since 1998, from a small floating restaurant. botos for access to the fish has resulted in

Upper Amazon, Colombia 0,05 – 0,77 Trujillo, Gómez & Alonso (2008) Table 28. Identified threats for river dolphins since 1986 in Action Plans and river dolphins meetings. Orinoco River Basin, Colombia - Venezuela 0,03-3,44 Trujillo et al. 2010 Inia geoffrensis

hurt dolphins. This activity has been reported IUCN 1994- IWC IUCN big machinery increase the risk of spills. This Threats 1986 has been observed recently in the Ecuadorian since 1994 to 2008 in almost all Action Plans. 1998 2000 2002-2010 Amazon in the area of the Cuyabeno River. Additionally, continuos presence of boats It is alarming that in countries as Ecuador, can interfere with reproduction and feeding Insufficient Data those camps of exploration and exploitation are behavior. located inside natural parks and reserves. Other Fisheries conflict kinds of oil spills were due to the Colombian guerrillas in the Colombian Orinoco during Bad tourism practices Direct catching (aquariums) the 80s. Their guerilla warfare operations lead to water contamination and affect the habitat Tourism and specifically dolphin watching Use of body parts and fish resources. may be a good economic alternative for riverine communities in the Amazon and Orinoco Dam Construction Brazil Brazil Boat traffic basins. However, good practices and ethic codes should be promoted to avoid that this Landscape transformation As a result of the unregulated ecotourism, the activity became a threat. During the last five boat traffic is generating underwater noise years, some people are implementing feeding Deforestation pollution that affects dolphin populations program of dolphins in two locations in Brazil Water pollution

Chapter 2 as well as possibly causing collisions that can without rules and creating serious problems Chapter 2 [ 154 ] [ 155 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Mercury from gold extraction Law situation the conservations of cetaceans (1994-1998 Oil exploitation and production and 2002-2010) and finally, the Report of the Some countries had passed laws to protect Scientific Committee at the 52th Meeting of Hydro-way (potential) dolphins. Other countries need to enforce more the International Whaling Commission in intensively the ones that already exist (1986). Australia in 2000. Population increase On the other hand, there is poor control as to the compliance with current legislation (2008 Law CE). Status of river dolphins in South America Sotalia fluviatilis

IUCN 1994- IWC IUCN Identified threats in the different During the last ten years the IUCN has Threats 1986 1998 2000 2002-2010 Action Plans that have considered promoted that each country undertake an river dolphins specific analysis of the fauna and flora, taking Insufficient Data into consideration that levels of threat can The following table (Table 28) summarizes be different in each geographic region. Some Use or body parts the identified threats for river dolphins in countries have published their own red books action plans and specific meetings around river of threatened species and others have published Direct catching(aquariums) dolphins. The first one was in China in 1986; action plans. In both cases the classification the second and third corresponded to IUCN/ criteria has always been that of IUCN. Fisheries conflict Cetacean Specialist Group Action Plans for

Dam construction Table 29. Conservation Status of River Dolphins in South America. Landscape transformation Inia Inia Sotalia Water pollution Country Sotalia sp Source geoffrensis boliviensis fluviatilis

Mercury from gold extraction Venezuela VU A2d Rodríguez & Rojas 2008

Boat Traffic VU Rodríguez-Mahecha et al. Colombia VU A1acd+2ce A2acd+3de 2006 Oil exploitation and production

Ecuador EN C2a(i) EN C2a(i) Tirira, 2001 Hydro-way (potential)

Peru VU NE Law

Ministerio de Medio Bolivia VU increased aggression, both between dolphins increased confidence, assertiveness, ‘pushiness’ Ambiente y Agua 2009 and toward the tourists. Botos pushing and and potential eventual aggression was observed shoving, leaping and biting both one another at Tangalooma, Australia. The risk of such and tourists are now commonplace (Pinto de behavior is widely understood in the case of Brazil VU DD IBAMA 1997 Sá Alves et al. 2009). This kind of escalation provisioned wildlife. Chapter 2

of dolphin’s behavior from habituation to Chapter 2 [ 156 ] [ 157 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Based on the results obtained during the for ecological analysis. The Convention on evaluations of abundance of river dolphins in Migratory Species (CMS) and WWF report South America, the analysis of threat for the that these species are migratory and move categorization of the IUCN is suggested. In between countries, especially in the Amazon addition to considering the status of the species basin, so again, a watershed assessment would in each country, an evaluation by hydrographic be most appropriate to determine the level of river basin and sub basin should commence, threat. which would be the unit most appropriate Chapter 2

[ 158 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Chapter 3 Freshwater protected areas and their importance in river dolphin conservation The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Freshwater protected areas and their importance in river dolphin conservation

Marcela Portocarrero Aya¹, Erich Hoyt² & Alison Wood³

(1) Research Student., The University of Hull, UK. Associate Researcher, Fundación Omacha, Colombia - [email protected] (2) Senior Research Fellow, WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, UK. Member, IUCN/SSC Cetacean Specialist Group - [email protected] (3) River Dolphin Programme, WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, UK - [email protected]

A protected area (PA) has been recently 2005-2012, PAs deliver a variety of purposes redefined by the World Conservation Union for society. This Plan stresses that protected (IUCN) as “a clearly defined geographical areas are “vital for life on earth; they conserve space, recognized, dedicated and managed to vital biodiversity and offer the world a model of achieve the long-term conservation of nature, how people can live in harmony with nature. associated ecosystem services and cultural There are treasured landscapes reflecting the values” (IUCN 2008). inherited cultures of many generations, and they hold spiritual values for many societies. According to the IUCN World Commission Protected areas also represent the diversity

Chapter 3 on Protected Areas‘ (WCPA) Strategic Plan of the earth‘s history and the current natural Chapter 3 [ 160 ] [ 161 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

processes, and provide many ecosystem and basins and freshwater protected areas as a key of of International Importance”, dolphins depend exclusively on the quality and wider environmental services and natural tool for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems. released by the Ramsar Convention (Dec. condition of these ecosystems to survive. Every resources, such as clean air, copious supplies This recommendation is in line with the 2008), the total number of Ramsar sites for impact on the ecosystem will be felt by the species of water and nutrients. Protected areas are an established priority of the Ramsar Convention South America is 86. Of these, only 10 are and reflected in their behavior, distribution and expression of community goals to maintain on Wetlands to identify and maintain located in the Amazon River Basin. The paucity in the status of their populations. the value of biodiversity and to ensure these representative continental aquatic systems. of FWPAs is contributing to the increase in values can be passed on to future generations. risks and threats faced by freshwater species. Currently, there are no protected areas created Indeed protected areas provide an opportunity The creation of new freshwater protected areas According to Ayllon et al. 2005, over three- exclusively for river dolphins in South America. to promote today‘s values for the generations to (FWPAs) is thus considered an important quarters of the IUCN Red-listed freshwater A few PAs have been established specifically to come”. and effective conservation strategy but it bird, mammal, and amphibian species in protect other freshwater species, particularly is lately emerging as a priority. FWPAs South America (280) have 50% or less of their fish, and freshwater habitats, but unfortunately, PAs have provided an effective strategy for are a key tool for providing a sound basis range covered by PAs. About one-third of the reserve designation does not guarantee the the conservation of representative terrestrial for ecosystem and endangered species species (130) receive no protection at all while protection of these resources (Saunders et and marine ecosystems around the world. The management, helping to maintain ecological 70 species have more than 50% of their range al. 2002) and they do not have provisions protection of these ecosystems is crucial for the processes, conserving species diversity and covered by PAs. Only 20 species have 100% specifically to protect dolphins. With the process of saving endangered species within genetic variability, and maintaining the of their range covered by PAs. Today, many importance of river dolphins for ecotourism in these areas. PAs are considered a primary tool for productive capacities of ecosystems. FWPAs freshwater species and their habitats are in Amazonian countries increasingly recognized, conserving terrestrial and marine biodiversity can also play a key role in conserving the serious danger of simply disappearing. these species should now be considered as (Pittock et al. 2008). In the case of freshwater historical and cultural characteristics of local important elements of the conservation ecosystems, in spite of being some of the most people and their traditional lifestyles and can The failure to establish a greater number of strategies for these PAs. However, there is no productive ecosystems on earth, establishment provide opportunities for the development of FWPAs in South America is due in part to coordination between existing PAs and no of PAs to protect them is woefully behind that more sustainable local human communities. lack of ecosystem-based management by overall assessment of their coverage or of the of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Rivers, Currently over 90% of all freshwater species governments and environmental authorities, gaps that exist. lakes, streams, varzeas (white water flooded are recognized as being at risk or threatened as well as to insufficient consideration given to forests) and igapos (black water flooded forests), by the impact of human activities, and 71% of freshwater resources by the people exploiting To help address the need for a network of PAs among other types of freshwater ecosystems, fish extinctions to date are attributed to human them. Both governments and users have the in South America which fully consider the are seriously threatened. The extensive pressure activities (Abell et al. 2007). responsibility to look after the protection and protection of river dolphins and their habitats, on them and their resources (including water, care of the environment. Currently, NGOs, WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation fish, turtles, caimans, snakes, manatees and Freshwater aquatic ecosystems and their universities and Amazonian institutes are Society, in coordination with researchers in the river dolphins) is leading to their degradation associated biodiversity are now in crisis. New largely behind the urgent efforts to identify region, has set up the South American River as well as to the collapse of socio-economic and alternative strategies for conservation are freshwater habitats of biological importance Dolphin Protected Area Network (SARDPAN). activities such as fishing, harming not only being urgently sought to ensure that threats are and seek ways to protect them. SARDPAN is meant to be as much a network the environment, but the livelihoods of the mitigated and prevented and at the same time, of river dolphin protected areas as a network communities reliant on these resources. natural resources and the well-being of local Protected areas for river dolphin of protected area researchers, government communities are protected and conserved. conservation departments and NGOs who contribute to In 2003 during the 5th World Parks Congress The river dolphins Inia geoffrensis, I. boliviensis river dolphin conservation. Currently, WDCS held in Durban, South Africa, experts in Although it is true that some aquatic ecosystems and Sotalia fluviatilis, are amongst the species is working with researchers in six South protected areas and other stakeholders were are incidentally protected because they are considered at serious risk in the major freshwater American countries to assemble a directory brought together to observe steps PAs were included within the boundaries of terrestrial habitats of South America, the basins of the of existing as well as proposed protected areas making to sustainable social and economic PAs (Saunders et al. 2002), in general in South Orinoco River and the Amazon River. These which include river dolphin habitat (Figure 16). development. During this meeting it was America the representation of freshwater species are highly mobile and travel through While recognizing that there are many gaps, established that it is necessary to implement protected areas is low compared to that of other and use many habitats and ecosystems to meet the goal is that by looking at the big picture, and integrate the management of hydrographic countries. For example, according to the “List their basic needs. As fully aquatic mammals, these gaps can be addressed in a concerted, Chapter 3 Chapter 3 [ 162 ] [ 163 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

non-redundant way, and further proposals can of involving local people must begin without be made. delay. Experience with protected areas has Atlantic Ocean shown that the most successful and enduring

23 N It is also important to identify how protection protection is only possible when there is local Caracas 22 in each individual area can be improved to interest and dedication to the idea of protection PANAMÁ VENEZUELA Ciudad Bolívar 31 24 meet the goals of good habitat protection and and where local people can see the benefits 26 threat reduction for the dolphins and other to conserving wildlife through ecotourism, GUYANA FRENCH Bogotá 1 GUIANA species. Protected areas are only one tool for enhanced fishing, and clean water. It is essential 28 2 SURINAM COLOMBIA conservation. Theoretically, they could indeed that communities are able to participate in all 27 29 25 32 function as comprehensive tools that effectively aspects of environmental education, research Macapá manage and reduce threats, facilitating and conservation work associated with a PA.

20 enforcement of regulations, and conducting Quito 14 18 13 good educational activities and monitoring There is a growing demand for alternative 3 19 ECUADOR 21 4 15 Santarém of species and health of ecosystems. But in sources of income to compensate for the non- Manaus Iquitos 5 Tefé Ataituba 16 practice, the Protected Area tool is usually part use and conservation of resources – the current 6 11 of a suite of conservation actions necessary to President of Brazil speaks in these terms. 12 ensure good conservation. Certainly, if biodiversity is to be conserved and protected, both traditional fishermen and Pucallpa Porto SARDPAN not only counts with the support local high school graduates need some source of 11 Velho and expertise of WDCS, it also counts with the income that does not involve overexploitation

7 support of WWF and the Fundacion Omacha, of wildlife and habitats. It is essential that Lima whom are working on the improvement of this local people – particularly the younger Cusco 9 PERU network through the conduction of abundance generation – grow up with an understanding 8 Trinidad estimation surveys all around the continent, of environmental problems and learn to value La Paz especially in areas surrounding Protected Areas, local wildlife, ecosystems and other resources 10 building capacities and integrating researchers as part of the capital for their own future. BRAZIL into the use of methodologies for the study of BOLIVIA the species. FWPAs can provide an excellent framework to work with local communities to ensure that local resources are managed effectively to Capacity of stakeholders to manage benefit people and wildlife in the long term. protected areas (PAs) This could be an effective way of addressing 1 Confluence 7 Iténez 17 Piagaçu-Purus 26 Tortuga Arrau the increasing and widespread problem in River Meta and 8 Mamoré 18 Juami-Japura 27 Yapacana All PAs and MPAs require the active the Amazon created by the fact that many Orinoco 9 Noel Kempff 19 Anavilhanas 28 Jaua participation of stakeholders in order to succeed. communities now overexploit natural resources 2 El Tuparro 10 Isiboro - Secure 20 Cuyabeno Sarisariñama This may even be truer with FWPAs than with for sale to generate monetary income rather 3 Cahuinari 11 Bruno Racua 21 Yasuní 29 Duida Marahuaca 4 Pure River 12 Pacaya - Samiria 22 Aguaro- 30 Río Viejo San oceanic areas due to the entirely inland location than for subsistence. Those who once lived 5 Amacayacu 13 Mamirauá Guariquito Camilo with riverine habitats sometimes literally entirely from hunting, fishing and farming 6 Tarapoto / El 14 Amana 23 Orinoco Delta 31 Piratuba Lake surrounded by communities. The process of now exploit resources without management Correo / Caballo 15 Jau 24 Santos Luzardo involving stakeholders should begin in the and planning. Cocha 16 Tapajos 25 Parima- Tapirapeco earliest stages of envisioning and proposing a protected area. However, if the area has Environmental education programmes in already been chosen or selected, then the task proposed and established protected areas are Chapter 3 Figure 16. Map of protected areas included within SARDPAN initiative. Chapter 3 [ 164 ] [ 165 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

essential. All who work on FWPAs must strive high-profile charismatic species, river dolphins to create a culture of conservation by working may not only inspire better conservation with local communities on education, research, practices but also serve as crucial bellwether monitoring and management programmes. species for the health of the Amazon and Local guardians of wildlife and habitats can Orinoco River Basins. Keeping river dolphin be very effective at ensuring that rules and populations strong and healthy could well regulations are implemented on the ground. prove to be instrumental for the conservation of these freshwater ecosystems. Two examples of local environmental education are the Natutama (“under water world”) During October 2009 took place the Interpretation Centre in Puerto Nariño, an Workshop on Establishing Protected Areas for area in the Colombian Amazon inhabited by Asian freshwater Cetaceans. This workshop native Ticuna, Yagua and Cocama people. The was held in Samarina, East Kalimantan, centre has proved a great success as a focus Borneo, Indonesia and was organized by the for education and conservation in the region. East Kalimantan Provincial Government, Natutama is now being recognized as a model Mulawarman University, and Yayasan for other ventures, especially in proposed Konservasi RASI, a local non-governmental protected areas throughout South America. organization, and brought together local and international experts on freshwater cetaceans. The second example is the Yaku Kawsay As a conclusion of this reunion, it was proposed Interpretation Centre in the Kichwa that Freshwater Dolphin Day be held as an community of Nueva Providencia, inside the annual event on every 24th October. Yasuni National Park in Ecuador. This initiative presented by the Asian Finally, in addition to the effort to improve and representatives has being taken and aproved by extend existing FWPAs, it should now also be the Southamerican ones and with it, stronger possible to plan for the creation of new river ties between the two continents have been dolphin FWPAs in South America through established contribiuting to the conservation of purchasing land and rivers or applying to the riverine species and to the establishement of governments for long-term concessions for areas new and improved Freshwater Protected Areas. to be managed for conservation purposes. As Chapter 3

[ 166 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Chapter 4 Abundance estimation program of South American river dolphins 2006 - 2009: A summary The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Abundance estimation program of South American river dolphins 2006 - 2009: A summary

Fernando Trujillo, Catalina Gómez-Salazar, Marcela Portocarrero, María Claudia Diazgranados & Saulo Usma

During more than two decades, statistically a regional initiative to provide reliable robust and standardized population estimates information to evaluate the conservation were proposed by several researchers to assess status of river dolphins in both the Amazon the status of South American river dolphin and Orinoco River Basins in South America, populations (Perrin & Brownell 1989, Reeves monitoring population trends, densities & Leatherwood 1994, Reeves 2000, IWC and sizes. A standardized methodology was 2000, Gómez-Salazar et al. in prep) as little implemented in six different countries. More information is available at regional scale and it than 4.300 linear kilometers were surveyed and comes from sporadically surveys conducted near 80 researchers were trained as part of this within small areas using different methodologies long-term ongoing program. and therefore all river dolphins are now listed as data deficient (DD) by the IUCN, as it was This initiative aims also to create a regional mentioned in above chapters. experts network between Andean and Amazonian countries, as part of the Freshwater As a consequence of this, the Fundación Protected Areas Network (FWPAs) and the Chapter 4

Omacha, WWF and several partners developed South American River Dolphin Protected Area Chapter 4 [ 168 ] [ 169 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Legend Network (SARDPAN), which fully considers In each area visual off-shore line transects River the ecological integrity of freshwaters for the and 150m strip-width transect surveys were River Expedition conservation of key species in those habitats. conducted. Off-shore line transectswere mainly Orinoco Basin conducted while crossing main rivers from Amazonian Basin Ten expeditions were made between 2006 and one shore to the other, while 150m strip- 2009 in the following rivers: Meta (Colombia); width transects were oriented parallel to the Expedition 1. Venezuela - Orinoco River - Middle Orinoco (Venezuela), Orinoco Delta banks along the river margins of each river, 2. Venezuela - Orinoco River - Delta (Venezuela); Putumayo (Ecuador, Colombia, maintaining an average distance of 100m from 3. Colombia - Meta River Peru), Cuyabeno, Yasuni, Napo, and Lagarto the shore (Figure 18). Sightings protocols were 4. Colombia, Peru & Brazil - Amazon River (Ecuador); Samiria and Marañón (Peru); the same for both transect types and included: 5. Colombia - Putumayo River Ucayali (Peru), Amazon and Javari (Colombia, 6. Peru - Ucayali River 7. Peru - Ucayali River Peru, Brazil); Ichilo, Mamore, and Itenez 1) Two platforms (bow and stern) installed 8. Ecuador - Napo, Yasuni & Cuyabeno River (Bolivia) (Figure 17). in each ship with at least two observers per 9. Bolivia - Mamore River 10. Bolivia - Itenez River

Transecto linear

150 m

Transecto en banda

150 m

Chapter 4 Survey design combining strip and linear transect. Figure 17. Population and density estimates of River Dolphins in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. Figure 18. Chapter 4 [ 170 ] [ 171 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

platform (Figure 19). Both platforms were low waters, high waters and transitional periods areas were chosen where there were both high estimation and standardized information in permanent communication to increase (Sioli 1984, Goulding 1989, Junk et al. 1989). and low densities of dolphins, in order not to gathering is the ability to design an integrated certitude in dolphin detection and counting. either overestimate or underestimate dolphin conservation and monitoring strategy for South Data was recorded every ten minutes during numbers throughout the study area, and avoid American dolphins, which is at present non- 2) observation height was at least 4.5m above the strip transects including the distance from creating large variances in encounter rates. existent. the river surface, allowing a wider field of the bank, or from side to side (in the case of vision, enhancing dolphin detection and at the channels). Subsequently, the information was organized same time reducing possible interferences with in tables that were exported to a program called Results their behavior; In the bow, one person was in charge of Distance to make the abundance estimates. The recording information in a Progress Log area of the rivers and other aquatic habitats in Ten expeditions were carry out between 3) time, position, species and number of every ten minutes, another was responsible the study area were calculated through satellite 2006 and 2009 covering 4309 linear km and dolphins were registered for each sighting by for permanent observation of the river and imaging. counting 4123 dolphins: 1492 Inia geoffrensis, both the forward and rear platforms; measuring angles at the moment of sighting 1323 Inia boliviensis and 1308 Sotalia fluviatilis and a third was responsible for the Bow Record The fundamental idea behind applying a (Table 30). 4) the distance from the platform to the dolphin where entries were made at the moment of each consistent methodology for dolphin abundance was estimated by eye with trained observers. sighting. In the stern, one observer registered all observations in the Stern Record. Another Environmental data were also recorded in each was responsible for observations and measuring Table 30. Types of habitat used by dolphins. transect including date, time, position, speed angles whenever dolphins were sighted. (5 – 19 km/h), direction of travel and thus Type of habitat Characteristics number of kilometers surveyed per transect It was important to bear in mind that both (length of transect). Each survey was also linear and strip transects were distributed Rivers of Andean origin and from the Guyanese shield. classified according to the annual flood cycle: as uniformly as possible. That is to say those Their waters are typically white, dark or a yellowish-brown colour with little transparency, due to the large quantity of Main River suspended sediment (Sioli 1975). More than 400m width creating a watershed or sub-watershed. Examples: Rivers Orinoco and Meta.

Intersection areas of two river flows (main river and a tributary channel) that stays connected in all water seasons. Confluence They generally showed a mixture of waters (white water with dark or clear) (Trujillo 2000). Examples: Meta-Orinoco, Meta-Casanare and Orinoco-Cinaruco.

Small and medium rivers not more than 400m wide. Generally show dark or clear water. The majority are of forest Tributary origin (Trujillo 2000). Examples: Manacacias, Guayabal and Arauca.

River course with a maximum width of 300m, generally 2 associated with island systems in the principal rivers, 1 Channel where both banks can be seen on each side. Strait of little navigability at some times of year.

Land bodies present within the river course with evidence of Island vegetation, which appear or disappear depending on water

Chapter 4 Figure 19. Observation platforms: Bow and stern. dynamics. Chapter 4 [ 172 ] [ 173 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

In general, results showed that river dolphin Table 31. Density values (ind/km2) from Gómez- of isolated geographic areas and also the densities varied according with the geographical Salazar et al. (2009). conservation of aquatic ecosystem as one of area, with low densities in Ecuador (Cuyabeno, the priorities for the agenda of most of the Aguarico, Yasuni) and the rivers Putumayo, Density Values (ind/km²) countries where river dolphins occurs. Meta and Orinoco; and high densities in the rivers Samiria (Peru), Itenez and Mamoré Rivers Inia Sotalia (Bolivia) (Gómez-Salazar et al. 2009, Gómez- Table 32. Main threats identified for surveyed river in South America. Salazar et al. in press). Orinoco 1,1 0,8 Meta 0,5 NA Country Rivers Main threats Low dolphin population densities could be explained by low prey availability (fish). In these Napo/Tributaries 1,3 0,2 Yasuni, Aguarico, areas there are no organized fisheries, and efforts Ecuador Cuyabeno, Napo, Oil spills, tourism, over fishing were not successful in past decades as shown by Samiria 3,1 2,1 Lagarto-cocha the low number of catches. In the specific cases Venezuela River Orinoco Mercury pollution, over fishing, deforestation of Meta and Putumayo rivers, it is reported Amazon/Javari 2,1 2,4 that historical (over 50 years) aggregations of Putumayo 1,1 0,01 dolphins were common in the upper reaches Colombia River Meta Over fishing, hidroway (in process harbor building) of the river, but as fisheries resources were Itenes/Mamoré 3,2 NA River Amazon Over fishing, deforestation, boat traffic depleted, the dolphin populations moved to the middle and low areas of the rivers. Peru Javari Deliberate killing of river dolphins, over fishing very complex net work of rivers where the In contrast to the Meta and Putumayo rivers, occurrence of river dolphins is very heterogenic. Samiria in the Samiria (Peru) and Itenez-Mamore Preliminary results showed important (Bolivia) rivers environmental conditions differences in densities and levels of threats for Ucayali Deforestation, over fishing appear to be optimal and able support healthy these species. For this reason it is important to aquatic ecosystems with very high densities and continue the evaluation of abundance in other Marañón Over fishing, deforestation, boat traffic abundance of fish, dolphins, turtles, alligators geographic areas, especially on those with plans and birds. The disturbance levels are low, and for development projects such as dams, water Bolivia Itenez Dams (Madeira River), conflicts with fishermen in the first case, the figure of the protected area ways, mining and overfishing. Researchers plays a fundamental role in the conservation from different countries suggest that some of Mamore Increasing tourism processes. the most important areas to cover are:

The expeditions along the rivers sampled, ∙ The River Pastaza (Ecuador-Peru) brought together information based on direct ∙ The River Purus (Peru-Brazil) observations and supporting literature (scientific ∙ The River Guaviare (Colombia) papers, technical documents) to identify some ∙ The River Madeira (Bolivia-Brazil) of the major threats to the dolphins and their ∙ The River Santiago (Ecuador) ecosystems (Table 32). ∙ The River Essequibo (Guyana)

This initiative has contributed to consolidate The future a network of river dolphin researchers in South America, increasing scientific skills, The Amazon and Orinoco basins are a communication opportunities, evaluation Chapter 4 Chapter 4 [ 174 ] [ 175 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Chapter 5 The Action Plan for River Dolphins in South America Chapter 5

[ 176 ] in South America

Fernando Trujillo, Enrique Crespo, Paul Van Damme, Vera Da Silva, Saulo Usma, Enzo Aliaga, Catalina Gómez-Salazar, Marcela Portocarrero, Esteban Suárez, Carlos A. Lasso, Arnaldo Ferrer & Jaime Bolaños

To build the action plan, an international dolphins, Geographic Information System workshop was carried out at the city of analysis of distribution, threats and research Santa Cruz de La Sierra, Bolivia between the 21 and 23th of April 2008. Approximately 42 researchers and representatives from Governments of nine countries actively After the background about river dolphins and participated in the workshop. Initially, Dr. their habitats, working groups were established Enrique Crespo, Chairman of the Cetacean Specialist Group of the IUCN for Latinamerica lines (Figure 20): presented an overview of the status of river dolphins. Following this, each country • (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia • Legislation and Policy and Brazil) made presentations of the status and • Communications conservations of theses species. Additionally, • Administration and Institutional strengthe- four presentations were made by experts on ning Chapter 5

phylogeography and taxonomic status of river • Education and community participation Chapter 5 [ 178 ] [ 179 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Presentations on the

status and conservation 3 Philogeography &

Overall presentation priority of river dolphins in Level of about river dolphins each country taxonomic status of river conservation (Fernando Trujillo, Enzo dolphins in South America (Enrique Crespo IUCN) Aliaga-Rossel, Paul (Manuel Ruiz) Van Damme, Vera Da Silva, Esteban Suárez, Arnaldo Ferrer, Carlos Lasso) Abundance estimations of river dolphins: South American Program (Marcela Portocarrero / Catalina Gómez)

SIG analysis for distribu- tion, threats and research initiatives South America (Cesar Suarez) River Dolphins Objectives, Goals, actions, Action Plan actors 5 5 1 3 1 3

Figure 20. Formulation of the Action Plan for River Dolphins in South America. Identificationof geographic areas where interactions occur Identification and analysis differentof typeshuman-of dolphin interactions Development of a conceptual of Development model human-dolphin of interaction Definitionmolecularof taxonomy (Upper Inia of Orinoco, Tocantins) Evaluation molecular of taxonomy Sotalia of (Amazon Delta, River Orinoco) Definitionmolecularof taxonomy (Madeira) Inia of Population geneticsPopulation river of dolphins at fine geographic scale (Ecuador,upper Caquetá- Iténez) Japurá, Tapajós,

Level of priority to conduct the actions proposed in every Strategic Line

Priority Fisheries and river dolphins Very high priority andTaxonomy genetics

High priority

Medium priority Goals Strategic goals Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia Low Priority Chapter 5 To plan and To conduct research contributing to the conservation riverof dolphins Table 33. StrategicTable Scientific line 1. research monitoring. and create and consolidateTo scientific knowledge to conserve and manage the populationsof river dolphins and their ecosystems in South America. Chapter 5 [ 180 ] [ 181 ] [ 182]

Chapter 5 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The

Level of Goals Strategic goals Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia priority Relative abundance 6 estimations Estimation of population Population 4 dynamics parameters of river dolphins Study of river dolphin 4 population structure

Evaluation of fish community structure, fish population 3 dynamics and(or and specific Evaluation of fishstocks in key areas trophic ecology Feeding ecology of dolphins and 1 using isotopes Development of trophic 1 To plan and models in key areas conduct research contributing to Assessment of boat traffic 3 the conservation effects on river dolphins of river dolphins Evaluation of changes in fluvial dynamics and its effect 2 on river dolphins and fish

Biomagnification and 3 Ecosystem bioacumulation of pollulants alterations and Water quality evaluation habitat loss 1 (continous sampling) Habitat loss evaluation focused on deforestation, mining and 2 agroforestry Evaluation of the impact of habitat loss on river 2 biodiversity

Level of Goals Strategic goals Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia priority

Effects of global climatic changes on Amazonian 3 aquatic ecosystems and on To plan and traditional local communities conduct research Ecosystem Efficiency of river dolphins as contributing to alterations and 2 bio-indicators the conservation habitat loss of river dolphins Impact of cultural and social changes on the perception 3 about freshwater biodiversity use and conservation

Evaluate the influence and

effect of the implementation River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The of sustainable economic 2 alternatives on social, economic and environmental Local knowledge dynamics

To studysustainable economic To implement alternatives with local 2 at least one communities (craft carving, conservation tourism) program in each country according To set up, implement and their respective encourage responsible dolphin 3 research priorities watching programs

Evaluation of social and Responsible economic benefits of 2 tourism responsible tourism

Colection of a data base on experiencies with responsable 1 tourism [ 183]

Chapter 5 [ 184]

Chapter 5 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The

Level of Goals Strategic goals Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia priority Geopgraphic Identification of priority areas Information 3 for research and conservation System Population viability analysis 1 Environmental (PVA) modeling Tropho-dynamic models 1

Fishery management plans in 4 key areas for river dolphins Regulation/ban mota fishery 4

Development of alternative 2 To implement baits for the mota fishery Fisheries at least one management Development of alternative conservation fishing techniques with low or program in each 1 no interaction with dolphins country according their respective Development of an research priorities aquaculture program for the 3 mota fish in geographic areas with conflicts Co-management of lakes and 1 river ecosystems Evaluation of river dolphin populations in habitats with Impact of 2 human activities different degrees of alteration on aquatic (mining, dams, water ways) ecosystems Ecosystem restauration in 1 priority areas for conservation Inclusion of river dolphins in 4 enviromental impact studies

Table 34. Strategic line 2. Legislation and policy.

To establish and to consolidate a regional policy for the conservation of the species and their ecosystems, harmonizing legal instruments and frameworks from each country.

Goals Strategic lines Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia

Workshops and technical- political national and bilateral meetings Binational agendas. The application of the Convention on Biological Diversity Articulation of (CBD), OTCA, CMS to solve regional policies specific poblems such as the and enforcement mota fishery and the mercury of international effect River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The agreements about Evaluation of demands and aquatic ecosystems, To improve possibilities to articulate legal endangered species protective instruments for border areas legislation in each and freshwater country taking resources. Articulation of national into account the policies and agreements in regional legal border areas frameworks Sistematization and comparison of legal

instruments specially fisheries legislation Formulation of national plans for To include river dolphins in the conservation the terms of references for the of river dolphin design and implementation or the inclusion of management Plans in of the species Protected areas within freshwater management plans [ 185]

Chapter 5 [ 186]

Chapter 5 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The

Goals Strategic lines Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia

Inclusion of river dolphins in the reference terms of the Ministry of Environment - MAVDT, Action Plans for River Dolphins

Formulation of To improve To include river dolphins national plans for protective in environmental impact the conservation legislation in each assessments for development of river dolphin country taking projects (hydrocarbons, or the inclusion into account the hydroways, so on) of the species regional legal within freshwater frameworks management plans To include river dolphins in

Fisheries agreements and Plans

National Action Plan for River Dolphins Conservation. Tri-

Annual Regional Action Plans (Environmental Authorities)

To improve and support the Update, control Agencies in charge and enforcement of To submit legislation and of the enforcement legal frameworks legal instruments to the of environmental (Freshwater government, parliament and policies to assist ecosystems and Ministry authorities them to accomplish resources) their functions properly.

Goals Strategic lines Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia

Update and modification of the legal and legislative framework in each country,

according to regional conservation priorities of river dolphins and their ecosystems.

Analysis of the legal frameworks in each country

and of the signed International Agreements . To improve

and support the River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The Update, control Agencies in charge and enforcement of of the enforcement National Policy on Wetlands, legal frameworks of environmental Tri-Annual Action Plans of the (Freshwater policies to assist Environmental Authorities, ecosystems and them to accomplish Departmental Land Use Plans. resources) their functions properly. To strengthen environmental entities (environmental nurseries)

Expansion of actions of control

and surveillance

To strengthen public instruments for law

enforcement, legislation, disclosure and education [ 187]

Chapter 5 [ 188]

Chapter 5 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The

Goals Strategic lines Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia

To implement legislation and law enforcement in each country Update, control and enforcement of Modification of legislation of legal frameworks EIA studies (Freshwater ecosystems and To strengthen public resources) instruments for law

enforcement, legislation, publicity and education

Meetings and Workshops with administrative entities To improve and support the (National Natural parks - Agencies in charge Inparques) of the enforcement of environmental To present scientific arguments policies to assist to PRODUCE and INRENA them to accomplish to include them within their functions Management Plans for properly. Protected Areas. Stakeholders Network To check and set up improvement Management Plans in

collaboration with the CMA and technicians

Workshops with the Fisheries Authority - ICA and fishermen’s associations.

To participate in workshops and meetings on fisheries and aquaculture.

Goals Strategic lines Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia

To improve Meetings between Enterprises and support the and the Ministry of Agencies in charge Environment. of the enforcement Stakeholders of environmental Network policies to assist improvement CMA participation in the them to accomplish formulation of reference terms, their functions roles, definition, etc properly.

Multilateral meetings among south american and asian countries

Workshops with the public River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The administrators, strengthening existing agreements To involve all Strengthen countries in connections between international countries within To subscribe and adhere to meetings South America and international agreements and about cetacean with Asia regional treaties that promote conservation. the conservation of river dolphins

To work together in the acquisition of funding for river dolphins conservation [ 189]

Chapter 5 [ 190]

Chapter 5 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The Table 35. Strategic line 3. Communications.

For 2012, the communication strategy of river dolphin conservation will be through a regional network and will position the river dolphin as an emblematic species and thus diminish their threats through the education of the public opinion and decision makers.

Goal Strategic lines Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia

To develop a communication strategy for the conservation of river dolphins and an inter-institutional plan for its implementation

Distribution of the results of scientific investigations involving tourism enterprises

Diffusion of the economic benefits from tourism

To improve activities using dolphins as an methods of Strengthening attraction. communication of lines of and the To encourage local communication dissemination of participants to feel closer to and the diffusion of information among the resource information researchers and the general public To create a network to share available information about

this topic, and to select a network manager

Discussion groups, frequent

progress reports

To create inter-institutional forums to socialize and share experiences, data bases and to collaborate in management strategies

Goal Strategic lines Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia

To improve methods of Strengthening communication of lines of To develop mechanisms of and the communication communication between dissemination of and the diffusion of involved institutions. information among information researchers and the general public

Campaigns to prize the dolphin as a tourist attraction

To produce didactic material for public discussion

Implementation of River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The interpretative centers, fairs and workshops

To plan trips for journalists Use of to areas of distribution of To involve the communication dolphins and educate them strategies to allow general public in about their biology and the general public to the conservation of conservation river dolphins and get closer to the river their habitats dolphins and their habitats To generate synergies for the development of publicity campaigns. Ex. The Week of the Dolphin or the International Day of Freshwater cetaceans

Publicity campaigns to the general population about the dolphin as a flagship species [ 191]

Chapter 5 [ 192]

Chapter 5 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The

Goal Strategic lines Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia

Publication of educational brochures, radio programs, fairs, workshops to involve local participants in conservation strategies.

Use of To develop promotional To involve the communication material to support project general public in strategies to allow presentations about dolphin the conservation of the general public to conservation in their areas of river dolphins and get closer to the river distribution their habitats dolphins and their habitats To develop regional and local campaigns about indirect threats: fisheries, mining, oil, agrochemical pollution, industrial wastes, deforestation, and infrastructure developments

To develop regional and local campaigns about direct Communication as impacts such as incidental To find support a tool to diminish catches, negative interaction in the media for threats with fisheries, use of dolphins the conservation as bait, and navigation work in order to diminish threats Organization of excursions for to the species and current and potential donors their habitats Fundraising To use media strategies to get

funding for the species

Table 36. Strategic line 4. Administration and institutional strengthening.

To constitute an integrated and transnational administration system for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems, considering river dolphins as flagship species and contemplating strategies for the strengthening of stakeholders involved in the conservation and use of aquatic resources.

Goal Strategic lines Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia

To articulate within the framework of international convention agreements (CMS,

OTCA, CBD, etc.) the approval of the present Action To improve the Plan administration of Improvement of the financial resources, administration of especially directed fund

To create a regional fund River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The at river dolphins to support conservation

initiatives aiming at the protection of river dolphins

To systematize projects and

funded programs To inform and educate the general public on the

importance of river dolphin To strengthen conservation stakeholders Bring together Building local and

in conducting decision makers and governmental capacity and managing local stakeholders, programs and focusing on To identify leaders in conservation freshwater resource each country to influence projects at a local users conservation policies level To integrate the private sector in management strategies

(ecotourism, industry, enterprises) [ 193]

Chapter 5 [ 194]

Chapter 5 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The

Goal Strategic lines Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia

To strengthen stakeholders Bring together in conducting decision makers and and managing local stakeholders, To identify and map co-

programs and focusing on management strategies conservation freshwater resource projects at a local users level

Regional GIS, bank of projects Integrate To create tools Participative instruments conservation to improve of integrated use, using strategies among administration and river dolphins as a flagship research teams in management at a migratory species continental and different South national level American countries To integrate National Action

Plans

To share Binational, transnational and management Involvement intercontinental meetings experiences and and inclusion to present lessons learned, public policies of international progress evaluation and to between the experiences discuss indicatores countries involved.

Table 37. Strategic line 5. Education and community participation.

To change attitudes towards the conservation of the river dolphins and the aquatic ecosystems, through environmental education and the promotion of effective community participation in sustainable management initiatives that guarantee collective benefits.

Goals Strategiese Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia

To diagnose the current educational programs and perceptions of local people about the species and their ecosystems in their area of distribution

To conduct training workshops related to aquatic The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The To promote ecosystems and river dolphins, and strengthen especially for people interested environmental in environmental education education and school teachers in the programs for the Improvement of region conservation of current and proposed river dolphins educational programs To create and maintain a according to supporting network among the needs and countries in order to share problems in each experiences, technology and country information about the species and their ecosystem

To construct environmental interpretation centers to strengthen current knowledge in countries where actual and potential conservation problems exist [ 195]

Chapter 5 [ 196]

Chapter 5 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The

Goals Strategiese Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia

To promote and strengthen environmental education To start initiatives that programs for the Improvement of validate cultural traditions conservation of current and proposed and knowledge related to the river dolphins educational programs proper use of aquatic resources according to the needs and problems in each country

To establish environmental education strategies with the natives for each locale

To inform and promote any To involve local initiative that directly involves communities in the Working together local communities and their development and with local territory implementation communities of strategies for to strengthen To strengthen the capacity conservation of educational strategies among local people to monitor river dolphins and control the species and their ecosystems

To support common initiatives to mitigate problems associated with the conservation of river dolphins and their ecosystems

Goals Strategiese Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia To involve local To implement environmental communities in the Working together education projects linked development and with local to community development implementation communities processes and productive of strategies for to strengthen initiatives (tourism, conservation of educational strategies handicrafts, food processing, river dolphins etc)

To identify institutions that are currently conducting operations to protect river dolphins and their ecosystems To guarantee the and to involve them in the participation of strategy governmental and

Involvement of all River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The non-governmental stakeholders in institutions in To engage the participation educational programs programs of of the Government conservation for (Environmental and river dolphins Agriculture ministries, national parks, etc) in the construction and implementation of conservation strategies

To ensure that educational programs and To identify potential and community actual sources of funding to participation Funding ensure the continuation of have financial the environmental education sustainability strategy. and appropriate personnel at least until 2020 [ 197]

Chapter 5 [ 198]

Chapter 5 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010-2020 Plan American South Action for The

Goals Strategiese Priority Actions Venezuela Peru Colombia Ecuador Brazil Bolivia

To identify professional and volunteering personnel to ensure the continuity of the environmental education strategy

To ensure that educational programs and community To initiate publicity campaigns participation and international promotion Funding have financial emphasizing the importance of sustainability the species and their ecosystem and appropriate to get financial help personnel at least until 2020 To identify an image and slogan to strengthen the conservation strategy at the national and international level and to procure financial and personnel resources The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Chapter 6 Recommended research, conservation and education initiatives The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Recommended research, conservation and education initiatives

Previous recommended projects by IUCN Action Plans and the IWC small cetaceans subcommitte

During the last 20 years several developed, in most cases as individual efforts recommendations for scientific research and of organizations and researchers more than conservation has been made around river governamental programs. In fact, most of dolphins and reflected in Cetaceans Action the recommendations focus on management Plans (Perrin 1989, Leatherwood & Reeves of areas, mitigation of fragmentation and 1994, IWC 2000, Reeves et al. 2003) (Table pollution, and even planning of dams and 38). Some of these priorities have been water ways has not been considered. Chapter 6 Chapter 6 [ 200 ] [ 201 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Table 38. Priority actions proposed for river dolphins from 1986 to 2003 and the level of development in each country. Action Ongoing Not initiated

Bolivia Action Ongoing Not initiated These species (and other freshwater fauna including manatees, Colombia turtles and crocodiles) must be included in International Peru 5. Perrin, W.F.; Brownell, R.L.; Kaiya, Z. & Jiankang, L. Biology and conservation of the river dolphins. Workshop Agreements and Conventions as valuable species subject to Venezuela on biology and conservation of the platanistoid dolphins held at Wuham, Republic of China. Octobre 28-30, 1986. protection from long term development projects. Brazil Occasional papers of the IUCN species survival commission. (SSC). No. 3. Ecuador

Establish and standardize research techniques appropriate to Diminish the impact of dams on aquatic ecosystems, concentrating 1. 6. conduct monitoring initiatives them to a few rivers. Environmental assessment of dams in the early stages of their 2. In countries where Inia is present (Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia construction and planning Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana and Bolivia) it must be promoted the Colombia exchange of information about the populations and to cooperate Bolivia 7. Determine the level of genetic differences between the populations Peru Colombia in research and regional planning conduction. This exchange must 3. of the Amazon and Orinoco basins and between the populations Venezuela Peru occur through the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization that inhabit the tributaries of the Orinoco River Ecuador Brazil (ACTO).

Studies on the toxicicity of pollutants (pesticides and metals) in Colombia Dams 4. dolphins and their preys. Leves must be associated to factors such as Venezuela sex, age, reproductive condition and health. Brazil 1. Dams´planning must include all involved countries Colombia 5. Monitor incidental death in fisheries Peru 2. A few selected tributaries must be used to establish dams. Brazil Some tributarias should preserve as natural reservoires for river Keep complete register of the animals hold in captivity and the 3. 6. dolphins corpses of dead animals must be used in research The main channel of the river must be protected as a vital and 4. Conservation and Management integral part of the complex freshwater system.

Bolivia International Funding Agencies (World Bank, Monetary Fund, Colombia Inter-American Development Bank and others) must be informed The species must be classified as vulnerable in the red books of the Peru 5. of the vulnerable position of the species and they must be required 1. IUCN Venezuela to give appropriate guidance to use it in the environmental impact Brazil assessments commisioned by them Ecuador When a Dam construction is proposed to an international agency, Big parks or conservation areas must be established in wetlands 6. this information must be passed on to national and international 2. containing significant populations of Inia. conservation agencies before the funding is approved.

Colombia Research groups working on the impact of dams on river dolphins, The legislation must be promoted in countries where Inia is not 7. 3. Peru must collaborate in keeping a constant flow of information. totally protected.Including Perú, Colombia, Venezuela and Guyana. Venezuela Educational campaigns must be carried out to promote the intrinsic Efforts must be done to ensure law enforcement to protect the 8. value of these species as vital part of the ecosystem and world 4. Chapter 6 species. heritage. Chapter 6 [ 202 ] [ 203 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Action Ongoing Not initiated Action Ongoing Not initiated

General Recomendations Bolivia Colombia Peru River dophins are ideal indicators of the condition of freshwater 3. Develop a conservation strategy for South American river dolphins 1. ecosystems, due to tha fact of being top predators and sensitive to Venezuela environmental changes. Brazil Ecuador Efforts done to preserve the habitats of these species will help to 2. preserve many other aquatic species 4. Assess fishery interactions with cetaceans in Brazil. Brazil River dolphins must be considered as an emblem of the efforts to Bolivia 3. preserve the most quantity of river systems and a high priority to Bolivia Colombia avoid their extinction. 6. Investigate stock identity of endemic species in South America Peru Venezuela Action Plan 1994-1998 Brazil

Reeves, R. & Leatherwood, S. Action plan for the conservation of cetaceans. Dolphins, and whales. Bolivia Colombia Colombia Conduct Cetacean abundance estimation workshops in Latin Peru Asses and monitor the killing of botos in all parts of their range 7. 1. Peru America Venezuela where such killing is known or suspected to occur Brazil Brazil Ecuador Establish a system for handling photographs and tissues to be used Colombia 2. in studies of Amazon and Orinoco dolphins Brazil IWC Recomendations Conduct a simposium on the impact of dams on river dolphins: 3. problems and solutions 2002

Prove the vality of the folk believes about the appropriateness of the 4. IWC Report of the scientific commitee. 52nd meeting of the international whaling commission, Adelide, Australia. products obtained from the species and to find proper substitutes. 2000.

Workshops on methods to estimate freshwater and coastal 5. Generales dolphins´populations.

Promote the importance of riverine fauna in funded international Assess the impacts of water development and future plans of 6. projects including the development and use of it within the range of developments 1. the species. Habitat requirements must be taken into account and Action Plan 2002-2010 implications in population´s fragmentation. Any future Protected Area or any type of restriction attempting Reeves, R. & Smith, B.; Crespo, E.A. & Norbartolo, G. 2002-2010. Conservation action plan for the world’s cetaceans. to preserve freshwater cetaceans must have the correct size and Dolphins, whales and porpoises. IUCN/SSC Cetacean specialist group. 2003. 2. location, potential threats must be eliminated or reduced and the Investigate interactions between river dolphins and fisheries in proper recommendations conducted 1. Amazonia and Orinoquia. Colombia Estimate the magnitude of fisheries as a threat where it is necessary Assess existing and planned water development projects and gold 3. Peru 2. and to develop management strategies for its reduction Chapter 6 Brazil mining in the Amazon and Orinoco basins Brazil Chapter 6 [ 204 ] [ 205 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Recommended projects for the priorities that help to implement the South Action Ongoing Not initiated Action Plan for South American river American river dolphin action project (2010- dolphins 2020). As a result, 14 projects were identified Colombia Assess the effect of environmental pollutants as mercury, pesticides covering scientific research, conservation, 4. Venezuela and oil on the species As one of the main goals of the workshop in communication, legislation and policy and Brazil Bolivia, all the proposed projects were evaluated environment education and community Bolivia and updated with the aim of establishing new participation (Table 39). Colombia Abundance estimation with robust statistical support and Peru 5. reproductible techniques Venezuela Table 39. Proposed projects. Short term: within the next three years, Medium: within the next five years, Long term: within the next ten Brazil years. Ecuador

Recomendations to Inia Scientific Research and Conservation

Identify stock structures and their studies must be published as soon Proposed Geographic 1. Objective Stakeholders Budget Priority as they are obtained project location Establish a distribution register, including river systems and Putumayo locations of all current and proposed dams, as well as large Bolivia (Colombia, 2. scale development projects and other type of threats like fishery Brazil Ecuador, Peru), INPA (Brazil), operations or oil extraction. To estimate Guaviare, Fundación the abundance Bolivia Caquetá La Salle and densities of Colombia (Colombia), (Venezuela), river dolphins in Peru Pastaza FAUNAGUA 3. Document abundance tendencies through statistical support geographic areas Venezuela (Ecuador, (Bolivia), Abundance where there is Brazil Peru), Purus, Fundación estimation of no data available US$ Ecuador Negro, Omacha river dolphins in using standardized 10.000 per Short 1 Tapajos, (Colombia), Colombia the Amazon and methods survey (at term Collect information associated to mortality levels, associated to Xingu, WCS, other 5. Peru Orinoco River least) different fishing techniques Madeira national and Brazil Basins To define a set of (Brazil), international key conservation lower part of NGOs, Recomendation for Sotalia sites at regional the Orinoco Universities, scale to focus (Venezuela), Research Colombia management Essequibo Institutes, Research to detect the abundance tendencies, making estimations Peru initiatives (Guyana), Government 1. with statistical rigurousity and reproductible in other regions and Venezuela lower part habitats Brazil of Mamore Ecuador (Bolivia) Collect information that allow the assessment of the incidental River 2. Brazil To evaluate the Fundación mortality of the species associated to fishing tecniques Evaluation of Orinoco in US$ taxonomic status SEAVIDA, the taxomic Venezuela 10.000 per Colombia of Sotalia in the Fundación Medium 2 status of Sotalia from the survey (at Determin the type of Sotalia who inhabits the basins of the Amazon Peru River Orinoco in La Salle, term 3. sp in the to the least) and Orinoco Brazil Venezuela Universities. Orinoco Parguaza

Chapter 6 Ecuador

Rapids. Chapter 6 [ 206 ] [ 207 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Proposed Geographic Conservation initiatives and human communities Objective Stakeholders Budget Priority project location Proposed Geographic To evaluate Objective Stakeholders Budget Priority INPA project location negative (Brazil), IIAP, interactions River Amazon DIREPRO, between river (Brazil), Rivers Fundación dolphins and Mamore and Rivers La Salle fisheries in the Itenez (Bolivia), Putumayo, (Venezuela), Amazon and River Amazon, WWF, WCS, Caquetá, FAUNAGUA To standardize Evaluation Orinoco basins Regulation Orinoco, Fundación Meta (Bolivia), dolphin watching of negative US$ of tourism Inirida Omacha, (Colombia), Fundación protocols and to interactions To assess the 30.000 Short activities and Meta FAUNAGUA, Short 3 Purus, Javari, Omacha 5 socialize them between river impact of the each river term focused on (Colombia), Governments, term Amazon (Colombia), with tourist dolphins and mota fishery over river dolphin River Amazon, Tourism (Brazil), other NGOs, agencies fisheries river dolphins’ watching Ucayali, Pacaya Ministries Orinoco Universities, populations and Samiria (Venezuela) Research (Peru) and Institutes, To develop and River Napo and National test alternative its tributaries Fisheries baits for the mota (Ecuador). authorities fishery To generate INPA (Brazil), economic Identification, FAUNAGUA INPA (Brazil), alternatives development (Bolivia), To assess the FAUNAGUA based on the and Fundación impact of dams (Bolivia), implementation implementation Brazil, Peru, Omacha on biological Environment of innovative of alternative Bolivia, (Colombia), US$15.000 and ecological Ministries, productive economic Colombia, Fundación at least per Short processes of Universities, 6 project in Brazil, initiatives Ecuador and La Salle project term Assess the river dolphins’ NGOs areas where Bolivia, US$ 8.000 encouraging Venezuela (Venezuela), impact of other populations, (Fundación anthropogenic Colombia per survey Medium river dolphin WWF, WCS, 4 human activities Omacha, activities are and (at least) term conservation as Universities on river dolphin Assess the impact Fundación threatening Venezuela part of human and Research populations of mercury and LaSalle, river dolphins’ wellbeing Institutes. other heavy metal’s WWF, CI) populations and discharges in and other their habitats aquatic ecosystems Research in the Amazon and institutes in To formulate Fisheries Orinoco basins both countries. and implement In areas of Authorities, Implementation fisheries all countries Fundación US$ of best fishing management where a conflict Omacha, 15.000 per practices to plans based on Short 7 between FAUNGUA, targeted reduce river best practices term fisheries and CI, WCS, area dolphin by reducing negative river dolphins Local catch impacts on exists Communities endangered

Chapter 6 species Chapter 6 [ 208 ] [ 209 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Proposed Geographic Education, Communication and community participation Objective Stakeholders Budget Priority project location Geographic INPA (Brazil), Proposed project Objective Stakeholders Budget Priority To identify key FAUNAGUA location areas in aquatic (Bolivia), To consolidate a ecosystems Fundación free online geo suitable for the Omacha INPA (Brazil), Identification Brazil, Bolivia, database platform conservation and (Colombia), FAUNAGUA of priority areas Colombia to publicize maintenance of Fundación (Bolivia), for river dolphin (Putumayo US$7.000 Disseminate for selected relevant river dolphins’ La Salle Fundación conservation and Caqueta at least per the general public river dolphins’ 8 populations, (Venezuela), Omacha with Rivers), Peru, area information on information such as their preys WWF, WCS, Brazil, (Colombia), implementation Venezuela and river dolphins´ distribution, threats, and ecosystem CI, TNC, Bolivia, Peru, Fundación of actions and Ecuador distribution, and conservation processes, and National Ecuador, La Salle US$ networks threats, initiatives. Short to implement Parks’ Units, 10 Colombia (Venezuela), 45.000 conservation or term actions for their Universities and WWF, WCS, management To conduct training conservation and and Research Venezuela CI, TNC, initiatives ate workshops related to management Institutes. National regional scale, aquatic ecosystems Parks’ Units, using internet geo and river dolphins, Universities databases systems especially for WDCS, and Research Fundación people interested Definition, Institutes. Omacha on environmental creation and (Colombia), education and implementation Brazil, Bolivia, WCS, school teachers freshwater To consolidate Peru, Ecuador, Fundación US$ protected areas a freshwater Long Fundación 9 Colombia and SEAVIDA 20.000 network, which protected areas term Natutama Venezuela. (Venezuela), To implement include river network (Colombia), INPA, WWF environmental dolphin as Fundación and National education conservation Omacha, Parks’ Units in Implementation projects linked objectives WDCS, every country of environmental to community WWF, WCS, US$ educative development Short 11 All countries FAUNAGUA, 10.000 projects linked processes and term Universities, per year with productive productive Schools, initiatives initiatives (tourism, Education handicrafts, food Centres, local processing, etc) communities and other NGOs Chapter 6 Chapter 6 [ 210 ] [ 211 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Geographic Proposed project Objective Stakeholders Budget Priority location

WDCS, To develop WWF, WCS, and implement Develop WDCS, a regional a regional FAUNAGUA, communication communication Fundación US$ 12 strategy focused All countries campaign for Omacha, 50.000 on river dolphin river dolphin Universities, conservation as key conservation Research migratory species Institutes.

Legislation and Policy

Geographic Proposed project Objective Stakeholders Budget Priority location:

To set up a protocol to assess WWF, Brazil, river dolphins’ Fundación Develop a Bolivia, populations Omacha standardized Ecuador, (abundance, (Colombia), protocol to assess Venezuela, densities and FAUNAGUA the impact of Putumayo different behaviors) (Bolivia), US$ development River Short 13 in areas where Environment 10.000 projects on river (Colombia/ term development Authorities, dolphins and their Peru) and projects are set in Universities, habitats Meta River motion or proposed research (Colombia). to be, and to institutes and evaluate the impact NGOs. of those on the species.

Evaluate the legislation in each country To legally ban the Government, US$ and at regional use of river dolphins national and 10.000 Medium 14 level and propose All countries as bait in specific international (each term specific regulation fisheries NGOs country) to conserve river dolphin populations Chapter 6

[ 212 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Chapter 7 References The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

References

• Abell, R., J.D. Allan & B. Lenher. 2007. • Aliaga-Rossel, E. 2000. Distribución y Unlocking the potential for protected abundancia del delfín de río, bufeo (Inia areas in conserving freshwaters. Biological geoffrensis) en el río Tijamuchi, Beni, Bolivia. Conservation. 134:48-63. Tesis de Licenciatura, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, Bolivia. 70p. • Acosta, A. 2002. Efecto del trafico de botes sobre los eventos superficiales de los delfines • Aliaga-Rossel, E. 2002. Distribution de río Inia geoffrensis y Sotalia fluviatilis en and abundance of the river dolphin (Inia el municipio de Puerto Nariño durante la geoffrensis) in the Tijamuchi River, Beni, época de aguas bajas Amazonas - Colombia. Bolivia. Aquatic Mammals 28 (3): 312-323 Tesis de pregrado. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Bogotá, D.C. 140p. • Aliaga-Rossel, E. 2003. Situación actual del delfín de río (Inia geoffrensis) en Bolivia. • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Ecología en Bolivia 38 (2): 167-177. Registry (ATSDR). 1999 Mercury. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and • Aliaga-Rossel, E. 2009. Inia boliviensis. p.

Chapter 7 Human Services, Public Health Service. 534-534. En: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente Chapter 7 [ 214 ] [ 215 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

y Agua. Libro Rojo de la fauna silvestre de • Anderson, S. 1997. Mammals of Bolivia, • Banguera-Hinestroza, E., H. Cárdenas, Reunión de especialistas en mamíferos vertebrados de Bolivia. La Paz, Bolivia. taxonomy and distribution. Bulletin of the H. Hamilton, M. Ruiz-García, E. Gaitán, acuáticos de América del Sur, 28 Oct. 1992, American Museum of Natural History 231: R. Vásquez & Y. F. García-Vallejo. 2000. Buenos Aires, Argentina. p.9. • Aliaga- Rossel, E. 2010. Conservation of the 652 p. Variabilidad genética de la región d-loop River dolphin (Inia boliviensis) in Bolivia. del ADN mitocondrial en poblaciones del • Best, R.C. 1984. The aquatic mammals In. Ruiz-García, M & J. Shostell (Eds.). • Andrade, G. 1992. La deforestación de la delfín del río Inia spp. (Cetácea:Inidae) en and reptiles of the Amazon. Pp. 371- 412. Biology, Evolution and Conservation of the Amazonía colombiana y la extensión de la las cuencas de los ríos Orinoco, Amazonas In: Sioli H. (Ed.). The Amazon. Limnology River dolphins in South America and Asia: biodiversidad. Pp.113-140. In: Andrade, G., y Beni-Mamoré. Pp. 7. In: Abstracts de la and landscape ecology of a mighty tropical Unknown dolphins in danger. A. Hurtado & R. Torres (Eds.) Amazonia IX Reunión de trabajo de especialistas en river and its basins Dr. W. Junk Publisher, colombiana: diversidad y conflicto. mamíferos acuáticos de América del Sur. Dordrecht. The Netherlands. 763p. • Aliaga-Rossel, E. & T.L. McGuire (in Colciencias-CONIA-CEGA, Bogotá, D.C. Octubre 30-Noviembre 3, Buenos Aires, press). Iniidae. In: Wallace R., D. Rumiz Argentina. • Best, R.C. & V.M.F. Da Silva. 1983. & H. Gómez (Eds.) Distribución, historia • Atkins, N. 1989. Summary of National Laws Distribution of freshwater dolphins and Natural y conservación de medianos y and International Agreements affecting • Banguera-Hinestroza, E., H. Cárdenas, M. manatees in the upper Rios Negro and grandes mamíferos de Bolivia. WCS- River dolphins. pp. 168-173. In: Perrin W. Bolivia. (Capítulo de libro). F. , R. L. Brownell, Jr., Zhou Kaiya & L. Ruiz-García, M. Marmontel, E. Gaitán, Orinoco. Biennial Conference on the Jiankang, (Eds.) Biology and conservation R. Vázquez, & F. García-Vallejo. 2002. Biology of Marine mammals, 5th, Boston. • Aliaga-Rossel, E. & S.T. Quevedo. (in of the river dolphins. International Union Molecular Identification of Evolutionarily Abstract 9 pp. revision). Abundance of the River Dolphin for Conservation of Nature and Natural Significant Units in the Amazon River (Inia boliviensis) in the Tijamuchi and Ibare Resources (IUCN) Species Survival Dolphin Inia sp. (Cetacea: Iniidae). The • Best, R.C. & V.M.F. Da Silva. 1984. Rivers of Bolivia during rainy season in a Commission, Occasional Paper 3. American Genetic Association 93(5):312– Preliminary analysis of reproductive “La Niña” year. 322. parameters of the boutu, Inia geoffrensis, and • Ayllon, R., M.L. Thieme & R. Abell. the tucuxi, Sotalia fluviatilis, in the Amazon • Aliaga-Rossel, E., E.T. McGuire & 2005. A Gap analysis for South America‘s • Batista, V. Da Silva. 1998. Dinâmica de river system. Pp. 361-369. In: Perrin, W.F., H. Hamilton. 2006. Distribution and threatened and endangered freshwater Pesca e de Recursos Pesqueiros na Amazônia R.L. Brownell Jr. & D. P. DeMaster (Eds). encounter rates of the river dolphin (Inia species. WWF. Available at http://www. Central. Ph.D. Dissertation, Fundação Report of the International Whaling geoffrensis boliviensis) in the central Bolivian protectedareas.info/upload/document/ Univerdidade do Amazonas/INPA, Manaus, Commission (Special Issue 6). IUCN, Amazon. J. Cetacean Res. Manage 8 (1): 87- casestudy-southamericafreshwaters.pdf. Brasil. 290p. Cambridge, England. 92. • Banguera, H.E., V.F. García, F. Trujillo & • Bayley, P.B. 1988. Accounting for effort • Best, R.C. & V.M.F. Da Silva. 1989a. • Aliaga-Rossel, E., A. Beerman & J. J.G.G. Mayer. 1996. Estudio preliminar when comparing tropical fisheries in lakes, Amazon river dolphin, boto Inia geoffrensis Sarmiento. (in revision). Stomach content de la variación genética entre individuos river-floodplains, and lagoons. Limnology (de Blainville, 1817). Pp. 1-23. In: Ridgway, of a juvenile river dolphin, Inia boliviensis, del delfín de río Inia geoffrensis (Blainville, and Oceanography 33(4, part 2): 963-972. S.H. & R. J. Harrison (Eds.). Handbook ª an endemic dolphin species of the upper 1817) 7 Reunión de Trabajo de Especialistas of Marine Mammals. Volume 4. River Madeira River Basin (Bolivia). In press. en Mamíferos Acuáticos de América del Sur. • Beltrán-Pedreros, S. 1998. Captura acidental Dolphins and the Larger Toothed Whales. Viña del Mar, Chile. de Sotalia fluviatilis (Gervais, 1853) na Academic Press. London. • Alisson, E. 1998. Recursos pesqueros en pescaria artesanal do Estuário Amazonico. Bolivia. ADEPESCA. La Paz, Bolivia. • Banguera-Hinestroza, E.H. Cárdenas & M.Sc. INPA. 173 p. • Best, R.C. & V.M.F. Da Silva. 1989b. F. García-Vallejo. 1998. Variación genética Biology, Status and Conservation of Inia • Andersen L.E., C.W.J. Granger, E.J. Reis, en Inia geoffrensis revelados por análisis del D. Weinhold & S. Wunder, 2002. The DNA mitocondrial. Pp 16. In: Abstracts • Beltrán-Pedreros, S. & F. Trujillo. 1992. geoffrensis in the Amazon and Orinoco River dynamics of deforestation and economic of the 8th Meeting of the South American Mortalidad incidental y dirigida de Inia Basins. Occasional Paper SSC 3. Geneva, growth in the Brazilian Amazon, Cambridge Specialist Group. geoffrensis y Sotalia fluviatilis en la Amazonia Switzerland: IUCN Species Survival

Chapter 7 Univ. Press November 25-29, Olinda, Brazil. y Orinoquia colombiana. Abstracts, 5ta. Commission; 23-33. Chapter 7 [ 216 ] [ 217 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

• Best, R. C. & V.M.F. Da Silva. 1993. Inia • Bolaños-Jiménez, J.; D. Pirela, J. Rojas & T. • Buckland, S.T., D.R. Anderson, K.P. dolphins Sotalia fluviatilis and Sotalia geoffrensis(de Blainville, 1817). Mammalian León. 2008a. Bufeo negro, Sotalia guianensis Burnham & J.L. Laake. 1993. Distance guianensis. Latin American Journal of Species 426:1-8. Van Beneden 1863. Pp.112. In: Libro Rojo Sampling: Estimating Abundance of Aquatic Mammals. In press. de la Fauna de Venezuela 3ra. Ed. Rodríguez Biological populations. Chapman & Hall, • Bidone E.D., Z.C. Castilhos, T.M. Cid J. P. & P. Lacabana (Editores). Provita y London, reprinted 1999 by RUWPA, • Caballero, S., D. Heimeier, F. Trujillo, J.A. de Souza, & L.D. Lacerda. 1997. Fish Fundación Polar, Caracas. University of St. Andrews, Scotland. 446p. Vianna, H. Barrios-Garrido, M.G. Montiel, contamination and human exposure to S. Beltrán-Pedreros, M. Marmontel, mercury in the Tapajós River Basin, Pará • Bolaños-Jiménez, J., O.J. Linares, M. • Burgess, J.C. 1993. Timber production, M.C.O. Santos, M.R, Rossi, F.R. Santos, State, Amazon, Brazil: a screening approach. Portocarrero & F. Trujillo. 2008b. Tonina timber trade and tropical deforestation. & C. S. Baker. 2009c. Initial description of Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 59: 194-201 del Orinoco, Inia geoffrensis. Pp. 113. In: Ambio 22(2-3): 136-143. major histocompatibility complex variation Libro Rojo de la Fauna de Venezuela 3ra. Ed. at two Class II loci (DQA-DQB) in Sotalia • Boher, S., J. Bolaños & L. J. Cova. 1995. J. P. Rodríguez & P. Lacabana (Editores). • Caballero, S. 2006. Genetic characterization fluviatilis and Sotalia guianensis. Latin Sobre un avistamiento del delfín estuarino Provita y Fundación Polar, Caracas. of South American coastal and riverine American Journal of Aquatic Mammals. In o bufete (Sotalia fluviatilis) en el Orinoco dolphin Sotalia. Ph.D. Thesis. University of press. Medio. Acta Científica Venezolana 46 (1): • Bolaños-Jiménez, J., H. Guada & M. Auckland, Auckland, New Zeland. 217-218. Lentino. In press. Estudio de línea base • Cabrera, A. 1961. Catálogo de los ambiental de la fauna relevante (reptiles, • Caballero, S., F. Trujillo, J.A. Vianna, H. mamíferos de América del Sur, II, (Sirenia- • Bohórquez-Mantlla, Y. & V.M.F. Da Silva. aves y mamíferos acuáticos) del área de la Barrios-Garrido, M.G. Montiel, S. Beltrán- Perissodactyla-Artiodactyla-Lagomorpha- 2008. Anomalías y patologias encontradas plataforma deltana, Atlántico venezolano, Pedreros, M. Marmontel, M.C. Santos, M. Cetacea). Revista del Museo Argentino de en el esqueleto completo del delphin rosado en el contexto de actividades petroleras y Rossi-Santos, F.R. Santos & C.S. Baker. Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”. Inia geoffrensis (Cetacea, Inioidea). Reuniao 2007. Taxonomic status of the genus Sotalia: Ciencias Zoológicas 4:309-732. gasíferas. Revista Cubana de Investigaciones de Trabalho de Especialistas em Mamíferos species level ranking for “tucuxi” (Sotalia) Pesqueras. Aquáticos da America do Sul. Montevideo, and “costero” (Sotalia sp.) dolphins. Marine • CABS/CI (Ed.). 2000. Data base on Uruguai. Mammal Science 23(2): 358–386. Amazonian protected areas. Center for Applied • Bonilla, C.A., E. Agudelo, C. Gómez, J.C. Biodiverstiy Science (CABS), Conservation Alonso & F. Trujillo. 2008. Interacciones • Bolaños-Jiménez, J. & O. Hernández. 1996. • Caballero, S., F. Trujillo, M. Ruiz-García, International (CI), Washington D.C., and entre delfines de río Inia ( geoffrensis and Investigación sobre la presunta captura J.A. Vianna, M. Marmontel, F.R. Santos, & Conservation International do Brazil, Belo Sotalia fluviatilis) y pesquerías de grandes ilegal de tonina rosada del Orinoco (Inia C. S. Baker. 2010. Population structure and Horizonte. bagres en el río Amazonas. Pp. 29- 38. In: geoffrensis) en el río Orinoco. Informe phylogeography of tucuxi dolphins (Sotalia inédito, Servicio Autónomo Profauna- Trujillo, F., J.C. Alonso, M.C. Diazgranados fluviatilis). In: Ruiz-García, M. & J. Shostell • Caja Agraria, Incora, Inderena, Asuntos División de Vigilancia y Control Ambiental, & C. Gómez (Eds). 2008. Fauna acuática (Eds.), Biology, Evolution, and Conservation Indígenas & Ministerio de Gobierno. Región Bolívar, Ministerio del Ambiente y amenazada en la Amazonía colombiana. of River Dolphins Within South America 1990. Política del Gobierno Nacional de los Recursos Naturales, Ciudad Bolívar, Análisis y propuestas para su conservación. and Asia: Unknown Dolphins In Danger. para la defensa de los derechos indígenas Venezuela. 150p. 2009a. New York, New York: Nova Science y la conservación ecológica de la Cuenca Publishers Inc. Amazónica. República de Colombia. Bogotá • Bolaños-Jiménez, J., D. Pirela, J. Rojas & T. • Borobia, M., S. Siciliano, l. Lodi & W.Hoek. D.C. León. 2007. Tucuxi or “Bufeo negro” Sotalia 1991. Distribution of the South American • Caballero, S., D. Heimeier, F. Trujillo, J.A. guianensis (Van Bénéden, 1864) uplisted as dolphin Sotalia fluviatilis. Canadian Journal Vianna, H. Barrios-Garrido, M.G. Montiel, • Caldwell, M.C. & D.K. Caldwell. 1972. “Vulnerable” in the Venezuelan Wildlife of Zoology 69 (4):1025–1039. S. Beltrán-Pedreros, M. Marmontel, The little ugly dolphin. Sea Front. 18:24-30. Red Data Book. International Whaling M.C.O. Santos, M.R, Rossi, F.R. Santos, Commission, Paper SC/59/SM29 presented • Brownell, R.L. 1984. Live capture fisheries & C. S. Baker. 2009b. Mitochondrial DNA • Caldwell, M.C., D.C. Caldwell & R.L. to the International Whaling Commission, for small cetaceans in South American diversity, differentiation and phylogeography Brill. 1989. Inia geoffrensis in captivity in Anchorage, Alaska. waters. Rep. Int. Whal., Commn. 34: 747. of the South American riverine and coastal the United States. Pp. 23-34. In: Perrin, Chapter 7 Chapter 7 [ 218 ] [ 219 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

W.F., R.L Brownell Jr., Z. Kaiya & L. de especies amenazadas de fauna y flora University of Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil. • Da Silva, V.M.F. & R. C. Best. 1996a. Jiankang (Eds.) Biology and Conservation silvestres. www..org 118 p. Freshwater dolphin/fisheries interactions in of River Dolphins. IUCN Species Survival the Amazon region (Brazil). Amazoniana, Commission, Occasional Paper 3. Gland, • Cagnin, J.U. 1985. Hidroelétricas da • Da Silva, V.M.F. 1986. Separaçao ecológica XIV(1/2):165-175. Switzerland. Amazônia: uma proposta socialmente dos golfinhos de água doce da Amazonia. eficiente. Ver. Bras. Tecnol. 16:15-24. Prim. Reun. Trab. Exp. Mam. Acuát. Amér. • Da Silva, V.M.F. & A.R. Martin. 2000. • Calvimontes, J.U. & M. Marmontel. 2004. Sur, 25-29 Jun., 1984. Buenos Aires, 215- Golfinhos de rio nem sempre preferem rios. th Seminário Annual de Pesquisa – SAP II. • Collet, A. 1984. Live capture of cetaceans 227. Pp 39. In: Abstracts of the 9 Reunião de IDSM, Tefé, Am. for European institutions. Rep. Int. Whal., Trabalho de Especialistas en Mamíferos Aquáticos da América do Sul. October Commn. 34:603-607. • Da Silva V.M.F. 1994. Aspects of the biology 30-November 3, Buenos Aires, Argentina. • Carantoña, T. 1999. Fundamentos of the Amazonian dolphin genus Inia ecológicos para estrategias de conservación • Connell, D.W. 1989. Biomagnification Sotalia fluviatilis and . Ph.D. Dissertation. • Da Silva, V.M.F. & A.R. Martin. 2000a. de la tonina de río Inia geoffrensis (De by aquatic organisms – a proposal. University of Cambridge. 327p. Blainville) en el Refugio de Fauna Silvestre Chemosphere 19:1573 – 1584. The staus of the boto or Amazon river “Caño Guaritico”, Estado Apure, Venezuela. dolphin Inia geoffrensis (de Blainville, 1817): • Da Silva, V.M.F. 2004. Estratégia a review of published information. 52 Int. Tesis de Maestría. Universidad Nacional • Correa, H.D., S.L. Ruiz & L.M. Arévalo. reprodutiva do tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis Experimental de los Llanos Occidentales 2006. Plan de acción en biodiversidad de Whal.Commn. SC/52/SM13. (Cetácea: Delphinidae). Pp. 271-274. In: Ezequiel Zamora - UNELLEZ. Guanare. la cuenca del Orinoco, Colombia. 2005- História Natural, Ecologia e Conservaçao • Da Silva, V.M.F. & A.R. Martin. 2007. Portuguesa. 120p. 2015. Propuesta técnica. Corporinoquia, de algumas espécies de Plantas e animais Impact of human activities upon two species Cormacarena, IAvH, Unitrópico, Fundación da Amazonia. (R. Cintra, Coord.). UFAM/ od dolphins in Amazon flooded forest, • Casinos, A. & J. Ocaña. 1979. A Omacha, Fundación Horizonte Verde, INPA/FAPEAM, 330p. Brazil. 17th Biennial Conference on the craniometrical study of the genus Inia Universidad Javeriana, Unillanos, WWF Biology of Marine Mammals. Cape Town, d´Orbigny, 1834 (Cetacea, Platanistidae). Colombia, GTZ Colombia, Bogotá, D.C. S. Africa. Saugetierkundliche Mitteilungen 27:194- 273p. • Da Silva, V.M.F. 2009. Amazon river 206. dolphin Inia geoffrensis. Pp. 1188-1192. In: Perrin,W.F., B. Würsig, & J.G.M. Thewissen, • Da Silva, V.M.F., A.R. Martin & E. Mikesh. • Carvalho, M.A. 1999. Shameless creatures: 2008. Skin disease and lesion of the boto • Castellanos-Mora, L. 2007. Evaluación del An ethnozoology of the Amazon river (Eds.). Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2nd ed. 1352p. Inia geoffrensis in the Central Amazon. IWC impacto por mallas de pesca en función dolphin. Ethnology 38(1):47-58. Meeting, Santiago, Chile. de la edad y relaciones craneométricas en • Da Silva V.M.F & R.C. Best. 1982. poblaciones de delfines de ríoInia geoffrensis • Crespo A., P.A. Van Damme & M. • De Carvajal, J. 1648a 1985. Descubrimiento Amazon river dolphin (Inia) preys on turtle en el Amazonas y Orinoco. Tesis de pregrado. Zapata. 2007. Mapa de Sistemas Ecológicos del Río Apure. Historia 16, Madrid. Pp. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. 141p. Acuáticos (SEAs) de Bolivia. (Podocnemis). Investigation on Cetacea, 8: 254. Hermanos García Noblejas, Madrid, 253- 256 España, 306p. • Castellanos-Mora, L., F. Trujillo & M. • Cunha H. A., V.M.F. Da Silva, J. Lailson- Ruiz-García. 2008. Morphometric skull Brito Jr, M.C.D. Santos, P.A.C. Flores, • Da Silva, V.M.F. & R.C. Best. 1994. • De Carvajal, J. 1648b. 1985. Relación analyses in pink river dolphins (Inia sp.): A.R. Martin, A.F. Azevedo, A.B.L. Fragoso, Tucuxi, Sotalia (Gervais, 1853). Pp. 43–69. del descubrimento del Río Apure hasta su Congruent results with molecular and R.C. Zanelatto & A.M. Solé-Cava. 2005. In: Ridgway S. H. & R. J. Harrison (Eds.). ingreso en el Orinoco. Hermanos García body morphometrics. XXVII Congresso Riverine and Marine ecotypes of Sotalia Handbook of marine mammals. Volume 5. Noblejas, Madrid, España, 306 p. Brasileiro de Zoologia. Curitiba, Brazil, 17- dolphins are different species. Marine Academic Press, London, U.K. 21. Biology 148: 449-457. • Defler, T.R. 1983. Association of the giant • Da Silva, V.M.F. & R. Best. 1996. Sotalia river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) with fresh- • CITES. 2008. Apéndices I, II y III. • Da Silva, V.M.F. 1983. Ecologia alimentar fluviatilis Gervais, 1853. Mammalian water dolhin (Inia geoffrensis). J. Mammal. Convención sobre el comercio internacional dos golfinhos da Amazonia. M.Sc. Thesis. Species (527):1-7. 64:692. Chapter 7 Chapter 7 [ 220 ] [ 221 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

• Denkinger, J. 1998. A comparison of the • Dudgeon, D., A.H. Arhington, M.O. • Fearnside, P.M. 1999. Social impacts of • Gewalt, W. 1989. Orinoco freshwater abundance and group composition of the Gessner, Z.I. Kawabata, D.J. Knowler, C. Brazil´s Tucuruí Dam. Environmental dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) using self produced Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) Lévêque, R.J. Naiman, A.H. Prieur-Richard, Management 24(4):483-495. air bobble ‘rings’ as toys. Aquat. Mamm. 15 in two blackwater rivers of the Reserva de D. Soto, M.L.J. Stiassny & C.A. Sullivan. (2):73-79. Producción Faunística Cuyabeno, Ecuador. 2006. Freshwater biodiversity: importance, • FEN Colombia. 1998. Colombia Orinoco. Pp. 35. In: Abstracts of the World Marine threats, status and conservation challenges. Domínguez, C. (Ed.). Ediciones Fondo • Guerra, H. 1995. Estado actual del Mammal Science Conference. January 20- Biological Reviews 81: 163-182. FEN Colombia. First Edition, Bogotá, 324 conocimiento de la pesquería en la 24, Mónaco. p. Amazonia peruana. Technical document # • Duffield, D.A. 1977. Phylokaryotypic 11 (unpublished) 52p. evaluation of the Cetacea. Ph.D. • Fettuccia, D. de C. 2006. Comparaçao • Denkinger, J. 2001. Demographische Dissertation, University of California. L.A. osteológica nas espécies do genero Sotalia Untersuchungen am Amazonasdelphin • Gilij, F.S. 1782. 1965. Ensayo de historia 154p. Gray, 1866 no Brasil (Cetacea, Delphinidae). (Inia geoffrensis) im Cuyabeno Reserva, in Americana o sea historia natural, civil y sacra M.Sc.Thesis, INPA/UFAM, Manaus, Ecuador. Ph.D. Thesis, Universität Bielefeld, • Emmons, L. 1998. Fauna de mamíferos del Amazon, Brazil,107p. de los reinos y de las provincias Españolas Bielefeld – Germany. Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado. Pp. de tierra prime en la América meridional, 129-143. In: A biological assessment of the • Flores, P.A.C, F. Trujillo, C. Rocha-Campos, Rome. (Reprinted by Academia Nacional de • Diazgranados, M.C. 1997. Ecología y Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado. O.J. Marini-Filho, V.M.F. Da Silva, A.R. la Historia, Caraca,: 3 vols.). abundancia del delfín de rio Inia geoffrensisen Martin & J. Bolaños. 2008. The status of los ríos Orinoco, Meta y Bita en Colombia. • Ergueta, P. & D. De Morales. 1996. Libro “piracatinga” fishery using Amazon botos • Gómez, C. 2004. Estimación de abundancia Tesis Pregrado. Universidad Jorge Tadeo Rojo de los vertebrados de Bolivia. CDC- as bait in South America. Paper SC/60/SM del delfín de río Inia geoffrensis utilizando Lozano. Bogotá, D.C. 86p. Bolivia. 347p. 17 Presented to the International Whaling la técnica de marca recaptura, en el lago Commission, Santiago de Chile. de Caballo Cocha, Perú. B.Sc. Thesis. • Diazgranados, M.C. 1998. Evaluación de las • Escovar, M. 2002. Estado poblacional y Universidad de Los Andes. Bogotá D.C. poblaciones del delfín de río (Inia geoffrensis uso de hábitat de la Tonina (Inia geoffrensis) • Flores, P.A.C. & V.M.F. Da Silva. 2009. 95p. humboldtiana), nutrias gigantes (Pteronura en el río Suripa, Barinas, Venezuela. Tucuxi and (Sotalia brasiliensis) y las comunidades de peces, Tesis de Maestría. Universidad Nacional fluviatilis and S. guianensis). Pp 1188- • Gómez-Salazar, C., F. Trujillo, M.C. caimanes y tortugas en el área de influencia Experimental de los Llanos Occidentales 1192. In: Perrin,W.F., B. Würsig & J.G.M. Diazgranados. & J.C. Alonso. 2008. del municipio de Puerto Carreño, Vichada, Ezequiel Zamora - UNELLEZ. Guanare, Thewissen, (Eds.). Encyclopedia of Marine Capturas dirigidas de delfines de río en la Colombia. Fundación Omacha. Internal Portuguesa. Mammals, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2sd ed. Amazonía para la pesca de mota (Calophysus report No. 12. Bogotá, D.C. 1352p. macropterus): una problemática regional de • Estévez, M.A & L. Oviedo. 2007. El gran impacto. In: Trujillo, F.; J.C. Alonso, redescubrimiento del delfín estuarino • Fuentes, L. 1998. Abundancia y ecología • Diazgranados, M.C., L. Fuentes, F. Trujillo M.C. Diazgranados, & C. Gómez. 2008 “tonino” (Sotalia guianensis) al norte de la de la Tonina (Inia geoffrensis humboldtiana) & S. M. Kendall. 1998. Abundancia y (Eds.) Fauna acuática en la Amazonía Península de Paria. In: Resúmenes del VII en el río Arauca. B.Sc. Thesis. Pontificia ecología del delfín de río Inia geoffrensis Congreso Venezolano de Ecología, Ciudad Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, D.C. 96p. colombiana: Análisis y propuestas para su humboldtiana (Pilleri & Gihr,1977) en Guayana, Estado Bolívar. conservación. 1 Ed. Bogotá, D.C. Unión la Orinoquia colombiana. Pp. 68. In: • Galindo, A. 1997. Ecología y abundancia Grafica, v.1000.164 p. th Abstracts of the 8 Meeting of the South • FAN-SERNAP-FAUNAGUA. 2006. Plan de los delfines de rio Inia geoffrensis y American Aquatic Mammal Specialist de Manejo de la Estación Biológica del Beni. Sotalia fluviatilis en el río Caquetá, área de • Gómez-Salazar, C., F. Trujillo, M. Group. November 25-29, Olinda, Brazil. 200 p. influencia de La Pedrera, Colombia. B.Sc. Portocarrero-Aya, M. & H. Whitehead. In Thesis. Universidad del Valle, Cali. 77p. press. Population and density estimates of • d‘Orbigny, A. 1834. Noticia sobre un nuevo • Fearnside, P.M. 1995. Hydroeletric river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis, I. boliviensis Cetáceo de los ríos del centro de la América dams in the Brazilian Amazon as source • Gewalt, W. 1978. Usere tonina (Inia and Sotalia fluviatilis) in the Amazon and meridional. Nouvelles Annales du Muséum of ´Greenhouse` gases. Environmental geoffrensis Blainville, 1817), Expedition Orinoco basins. Marine Mammal Science Chapter 7

d‘Histoire Naturelle. 3: 28-36 Conservation 22(1):7-19. 1975, Zoologische Garten. Jena 48:323-384. (In press). Chapter 7 [ 222 ] [ 223 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

• Gómez-Salazar, C., F. Trujillo, M. (Inia geoffrensis). M.Sc. Thesis, INPA/ Inia geoffrensis, Pontoporia blainvillei, and (1996-2005). I Reunión Internacional Portocarrero-Aya, & H. Whitehead. 2009. UFAM, Manaus, Amazon, Brazil, 67p. Sotalia fluviatilis. J. Mammal.52:413-419. sobre el Estudio de Mamíferos Acuáticos Population estimates of river dolphins in SOMEMMA-SOLAMAC (12a RT / VI the Amazon and Orinoco basins. Poster • Gravena, W., T. Hrbek, V.M.F. Da Silva • Harrison, R.J., R.L. Brownell, Jr., & R.C. Congreso SOLAMAC). Mérida, Yucatán. presentation. 18th Biennial Conference & I.P. Farias. 2008. Amazon river dolphin Boice. 1972. Reproduction and gonadal México Biology of Marine Mammals, Society for love fetiches: from folklore to molecular appearances in some odontocetes. pp.361- Marine Mammalogy, Quebec City, Canada. forensics. Mar. Mamml. Sc. 24(4):969-978. 429. In: Functional Anatomy of Marine • Holguin, V.E. & J.M. Barbosa. 2005. Mammals. R.J. Harrison (Ed.), Academic Distribución del manatí Trichechus manatus • Goodland, R.J. 1980. Environmental • Gray, J.S. 2002. Biomagnification in marine Press, London and New York. manatus, en la parte alta del río Meta, Cuenca ranking of Amazonian development projects Systems: the perspective of an ecologist. del Orinoco, Colombia. Informe Interno in Brazil. Environ. Cons. 7:9-26. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 45:46-52. • Henningsen, T. 1998. Zur Verbreitung, para WWF Colombia y Conservación Habitatwahl und Verhaltensökologie Internacional. • Gordon, J. & A. Moscrop. 1996. Underwater • Grimwood, I.R. 1969. Notes on the der Delphine Inia geoffrensis und Sotalia noise pollution and its significance for distribution and status of some Peruvian fluviatilis im Oberlauf des Amazonas. • Hoyt, E. 2005. Marine Protected Areas for whales and dolphins. pp. 281-320. In: mammals.- 1968. N. Y. Zool. Soc. Spec. Ph.D. Dissertation. Zentrum für Marine Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, Earthscan, Simmonds M.P. & J.D. Hutchinson (Eds.). Publ. 21. Tropenökologie, Bremen, Germany. 139p. London, 516 p. The Conservation of Whales and Dolphins. Wiley, London. 186 p. • Guo, J. 2006. Wildlife conservation. River • Hentschel, T., D. Roque & E. Taucer. 2000. • Hoyt, E. & M. Iñíguez. 2008. Estado dolphins down for the count, and perhaps Small-scale gold-mining at San Simón, del Avistamiento de Cetáceos en América • Goulding, M. 1979. Ecologia da pesca do out. Science (New York, N.Y.), 314 (5807), Bolivia. In: Jennings, N.S. (Ed.) Small- Latina, pp. 60. WDCS, Chippenham, UK; rio Madeira. Manaus, INPA, 172p. scale gold mining: examples from Bolivia, IFAW, East Falmouth, USA; Global Ocean, 1860. • Goulding, M. 1981. Man and fisheries on an Philipines & Zimbabwe. ILO Working Londres, UK. Amazon frontier. Dr. W. Junk. The Hague. • Gutleb, A., C. Schennck & E. Staib. 1997. Paper. (Pteronura brasiliensis) at Risk? • Huffman, W.E. 1970. Notes on the first • Goulding, M. 1989. Amazon: The Flooded Total Mercury and Methylmercury Levels • Herman, L.H., L. Von Fersen & M. Solangi. captive conception and live birth of an Forest. The BBC, London. in Fish and Otter Scats, Peru. Ambio 26(8): 1996. The bufeo Inia( geoffrensis) in the Rio Amazon dolphin in North America. 511-514. Lagarto Cocha of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Underwater Naturalist. 6:9-11. • Goulding, M., R. Barthem, & E.J. Ferreira. Marine Mammal Science 12(1):118-125. 2003. Smithsonian Atlas of the Amazon. • Hamilton, H. 2000. Evolución y sistemática • Hurtado, A.L. 1996. Distribución, uso del Hardcover. Washington, DC: Smithsonian de cetáceos de agua dulce Sudamericanos. • Hershkovitz, P. 1963. Notes on South hábitat, movimientos y organización social Institution Press. Pp. 56. In: Abstracts 9th Reunião de trabalho American Dolphins of the Genera Inia, del bufeo colorado Inia geoffrensis (Cetacea: de especialistas en mamíferos aquáticos da Sotalia and Tursiops. Journal of Mammalogy Iniidae) en el alto río Amazonas. M.Sc. • Grabert, H. 1984. Migrações e especiação América do Sul, October 30- November 3, 44(1): 98-103. thesis. Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios dos Iniidae da America do sul (Cetacea, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Superiores de Monterrey, Guaymas. México. Mamm). Geografia 9(17-18):145-154. • Hershkovitz, P. 1966. Catalog of living 116p. • Hamilton, H., S. Caballero, A.G. Collins & whales. Bulletin of the United States • Grabert, H. 1983. Migration and speciation R.L. Brownwll Jr.. 2001. Evolution of river National Museum, Smithsonian Institution • Hoivik, D.J. & S.H. Safe. 1998 Polychlo- of the South American Iniidae (Cetacea: dolphins. Proceedings of the Royal Society 246:1-259. rinated Biphenyls, Environmental And Mammalia). Z. Suägetierk, 49, 334-341. of London. Series B: Biological Sciences. Occupational Medicine. Philadelphia: 268: 549-556 • Herrando Pérez, S., C. Gómez, F. Trujillo, Lippincott-Raven Publishers. • Gravena, W. 2006. Isolamento e M.C, Diazgranados & M. Portocarrero. caracterizaçao de marcadores microssatelites • Harrison, R.J. & R.L. Brownell, Jr. 1971. 2006. Tamaño Grupal y uso de hábitat de • IBAMA. 1997. Mamíferos Aquáticos do para analise de parentesco no Boto-vermelho The gonads of the South American dolphin, Sotalia fluviatilis en el Amazonas colombiano Brasil: Plano de AÇao. Ministerio Do Meio Chapter 7 Chapter 7 [ 224 ] [ 225 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Ambiente, dos Recursos Hídricos e da • Kasuya, I. 1977. Age determination and colombiana. Abstracts, 8th Reunión de • Leatherwood, S., R.R. Reeves, C. Hill AmazÔnia Legal. Instituto Brasileiro do growth of the Baird’s with Especialistas en Mamíferos Acuáticos de & B. Würsig. 1991. Observations of river Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais a comment on the foetal growth rate. Sci. América del Sur, Olinda, Brasil. 100p. dolphins in the Amazon and Marañón Renováveis. Brasilia, 79p. Rep. Whale. Res. Inst. Tokyo 29:1-20. Rivers and tributaries, Peru, March, June, • Klinowska, M. 1991. Dolphins, Porpoises and July 1991. Pp. 91. In: Abstracts of the • IBGE. 2007. Contagemda populaçao 2007. • Kasuya, T. & T. Kajihara. 1974. Ecology and Whales of the World. The IUCN Red 9th Biennial Conference on the Biology of www.ibge.gov.br of dolphins in the Amazon and Orinoco Data Book. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Marine Mammals. December 5-9, Chicago, systems. Pages 7-11. In: Reports of the Cambridge, UK. 429p. Illinois, USA. • Ibisch, P. & G. Mérida. 2003. Biodiversidad: scientific expedition on the La Plata and la riqueza de Bolivia. Estado de conocimiento Amazon Dolphins. University of Tokyo, • Kulu, D.D. 1971. Cytogenetic Comparison • Leatherwood, S., R.R. Reeves, B. Würsig y conservación. Edit. FAN, Santa Cruz, Japan. of four Species of Cetaceans. J. Mammalogy. & D. Shearn. 2000. Habitat preferences of Bolivia. 638p. 52(4):828 – 832. river dolphins in the Peruvian Amazon. Pp. • Kendall, S. 1999. Dolphins as people, 131-144. In: Reeves, R.R., B.D. Smith & T. • INRENA-CTARL. 2000. Plan maestro manatees as maggots: incorporating • Lacerda, L.D. & W. Solomons, 1992. Kasuya (Eds.). Biology and conservation of para la conservación y el desarrollo sostenible indigenous knowledge and story into Mercúrio na Amazônia, Uma Bomba freshwater cetaceans in Asia. International de la Reserva Nacional Pacaya Samiria y su environmental education in the Colombian Relógio Química?, Série Tecnologia Union for Conservation of Nature and zona de amortiguamiento (unpublished) Amazon. In: O´Donoghue, R., L. Masuku, Ambiental, CETEM/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro, Natural Resources (IUCN), Species Survival 78p. E. Jansen van Rensburg & M. Ward (Eds.). 78p. Commission, Occasional Paper 23. IUCN, Indigenous knowledge in/as environmental Gland, Switzerland. 152pp • INRENA-AECI. 2001. Plan de uso turístico education processes, South Africa: • Lailson-Brito Jr., J., P. Dorneles, V.M.F. Da y recreativo de la Reserva Nacional Pacaya- Environmental Education Association of Silva, A. Martin, W. Bastos, J.P. Torres & • Leino, T. & M. Lodenius. 1995. Human Samiria (unpublished) 98p. Southern Africa. O. Malm. 2008. Cetaceans as indicators hair mercury levels in Tucuruí area, State • IPAAM. 2000. Environmental Protection of micropollutant trophic flow in Amazon of Pará, Brazil. The Science of the Total Institute for the Amazon (Unpublished • Kendall, S. & F. Trujillo. 1992. Comunidades River Basin. Oecologia Brasiliensis 12(3): Environment 175:119-125. Manuscript). humanas, educación y la conservación de 531-541. los delfines en el Amazonas. In: Simposium • Lentino, M. & A.R. Bruni. 1994. Humedales • IWC. 2000. Report of the Scientific on the Conservation of River Dolphins in • Lamb, B.F. 1954. The fisherman´s . costeros de Venezuela: situación ambiental. Committee. 52nd Meeting of the South America. Buenos Aires, Argentina. Nat. Hist. 63: 231-232. Sociedad Conservacionista Audubon de International Whaling Commission, 17p. Venezuela. Adelaide, Australia. 92p. • Layne, J. 1958. Observations on freshwater • Kendall, S., F. Trujillo, S. Beltrán & V. dolphins in the upper Amazon. J. Mammal. • Linares, O. J. 1998. Mamíferos de Venezuela. • Jalil, S., V. Utreras & E. Suárez. (In Utreras. 1995. From the River to the 39: 1-23. Sociedad Conservacionista Audubón, prep.). Estimación de la Abundancia, Nation: An education strategy for the Caracas. Aspectos Ecológicos y Etológicos del conservation of freshwater dolphins in the • Leatherwood, S. 1996. Distributional Delfín Amazónico Inia geoffrensis geoffrensis Northwestern Amazon. In: Abstracts 11th ecology and conservation status of river • Linares, O.J. & B. Rivas. 2004. Mamíferos (Cetacea: Iniidae) en el río Yasuní, Amazonía Biennial Conference on Marine Mammals. dolphins Inia geoffrensisand Sotalia fluviatilis del Sistema Deltaico (Delta del Orinoco ecuatoriana. Quito. Orlando, Fl. Dec. 14-18. Society of Marine in portions of the Peruvian Amazon. Ph.D. - Golfo de Paria), Venezuela. Memoria Mammalogy. Thesis Texas A & M University. 232p. Fundación La Salle Ciencias Naturales 159- • Jiménez, F. 1994. La comunidad íctica 160: 27-104 presente en la zona de gramalotes ubicados • Kendall, S., F. Trujillo, S. Beltrán, M.C. • Leatherwood, S. & R.R. Reeves. 1983. sobre el margen colombiano del río Diazgranados & A. Galindo. 1998. The Sierra Club handbook of whales and • Loch C., M. Marmontel & P.C. Simões- Amazonas. B.Sc. thesis. Universidad Mortalidad y conservación de delfines de dolphins. Sierra Club Books, San Francisco, Lopes. 2009. Conflicts with fisheries and Nacional de Colombia. Bogotá, D.C. agua dulce en la Amazonía y Orinoquía California, USA. intentional killing of freshwater dolphins Chapter 7 Chapter 7 [ 226 ] [ 227 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

(Cetacea: Odontoceti) in the Western Zoological Society of London. United Conference on the Biology of Marine • Mcguire, T.L. In review. Ecology and Brazilian Amazon. Biodiversity and Kingdom. 263: 295- 305. Mammals. conservation status of riverine tucuxi (Sotalia Conservation 18:3979-3988. fluviatilis) in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, • Martin, A.R. & V.M.F. Da Silva. 2004b. • Mateos, M. & L.A. Hurtado. 1998. Testing Peru. Special issue of the Latin American • Lowe-McConnell, R.H. 1975. Fish Number, seasonal movements, and residency monophily of river dolphins (superfamily Journal of Aquatic Mammals. communities in tropical freshwaters. characteristics of river dolphins in an Platanistoidea) by analysis of cytochrome Longman, London, England. Amazonian floodplain lake system. Journal B gene sequences. Page 88. In: Abstracts • Mcguire, T. L. & E. L. Zuñiga. 1997. River of Zoology. NRC Canada. 82: 1307- 1315. of the World Marine Mammal Science dolphins and fishery interactions in South • Lowe-McConnell, R.H. 1987. Ecological Conference. January 20-24, Mónaco. America. Pp. 147. In: Abstracts of the Annual studies in tropical fish communities. • Martin, A.R. & V.M.F. Da Silva. 2006. Meeting of the Society for Conservation Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, Sexual dimorphism and body scarring in the • Maurice-Bourgoin L., I. Quiroga, J.L. Guyot Biology. Date June 7-9, Victoria, B. C., England. boto (Amazon river dolphin) Inia geoffrensis. & O. Malm. 1999. Mercury pollution in the Canada. Marine Mammal Science. upper Beni River Basin, Bolivia. Ambio 28 • Magnusson, W.E., R.C. Best & V.M.F. (4): 302-306 • McGuire, T. & K.O. Winemiller. 1998. Da Silva. 1980. Number and behavior • Martin, A.R., V.M.F. Da Silva & D.L. Ocurrence Patterns, Habitat Associations of Amazon dolphins, Inia geoffrensis and Salmon. 2004. Riverine habitat preferences • Maurice-Bourgoin, L. 2001. El mercurio and Potential Prey of the River Dolphin, of botos (Inia geoffrensis) and tucuxis (Sotalia Sotalia fluviatilis in the Rio Solimoes, Brazil. en la Amazonia boliviana - Síntesis del Inia geoffrensis, in the Cinaruco River, . fluviatilis) in the Central Amazon. Marine Aquatic Mammals 8:27-32. conocimiento sobre la distribución del Venezuela. Biotropica 30(4): 625-638. Mammal Science 20(2): 189-200. mercurio en las aguas, los sedimentos y los • Malm, O., J. R.D., Guimarães, M.B. Castro, peces - Impacto sobre la salud humana. IRD • McGuire T. & E. Aliaga- Rossel. 2007. W.R.Bastos, J.P. Viana, F.J.P. Branches, E. • Martin, A.R., V.M.F. Da Silva & P. Rothery. Publications. 80p. Seasonality of reproduction in Amazon river G. Silveira & W.C. Pfeiffer. 1997. Follow- 2008. Object carrying as socio-sexual dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) in three mayor Up of Mercury Levels In Fish, Human Hair display in an aquatic mammals. Biol. Lett. • May-Collado, L. & D. Wartzok. 2007. The river basins of South America. Biotropica 39 And Urine In The Madeira And Tapajós 4243-245. (1): 129-135 Basins, Amazon, Brazil. Water, Air and Soil freshwater dolphin Inia geoffrensis produces high frequency whistles. Journal of Acoustical Pollution (97): 45-51. • Martinelli, L., J. Ferreira, B. Forsberg & R. • McGuire, T. & T. Henningsen. 2007. Society of America 121(2): 1203-1212. Victoria. 1988. Mercury Contamination in Movement patterns and site fidelity of • Marengo, J.A. 2006. On the hydrological the Amazon: A Golg Rush Consequence. river Dolphins (Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia • McCuster, J.S. 1973. Observations on cycle of the Amazon River Basin: a historiacal Ambio 17(4): 252-254. fluviatilis) in the Peruvian amazon as Inia geoffrensis review and current state –of-the-art. Revista the Amazon dolphin, , in determined by photo-identification. Aquatic Bras. de Meteorologia. 21(3a):1-19. • Martínez-Agüero, M., S. Flores-Ramírez. captivity at the Forth Worth Zoological Mammals 33(3): 359-367. & M. Ruiz-García. 2006. First report for Park. Unpublished manuscript, 20p. the Major Histocompatibility complex • Martin, A.R. 2001. Use of flooded forest • Meade, R. & L. Koehnken. 1991. (MHC) Class II loci from the Amazon Pink by botos, or Amazon river dolphins, Inia • McGuire, T.L. 1995. The ecology of the river Distribution of the river dolphin, tonina river dolphin (genus Inia). Genetics and geoffrensis. Pp. 135. In: Abstracts of the dolphin, Inia geoffrensis, in the Cinaruco Inia geoffrensis in the Orinoco River Basin of th Molecular Research 5(3): 421-431. 14 Biennial Conference on the Biology of River, Venezuela. M.S. Thesis. Texas A&M Venezuela and Colombia. Interciencia 16(6): Marine Mammals. November 28-December University, College Station, Texas, USA. 300-312. 3, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. • Marvulo, M.F.V., V.M.F. Da Silva, A.R. 101p. Martin, J.A. D’Affonseca Neto, F.C.W. • Mejía, P. 2001. Cambios en las actividades • Martin, A.R. & V.M.F. Da Silva. 2004a. Rosas, C.C. Nascimento, Z.M. Morais, • McGuire, T.L. 2002. Distribution and superficiales de los delfines de río Inia River dolphins and flooded forest: seasonal S.A. Vasconcellos, J.S. Ferreira Neto & abundance of river dolphins in the Peruvian geoffrensis y Sotalia fluviatilis originados habitat use and sexual segregation of botos J.C.R. Silva. 2003. Serosurvey for antibodies Amazon. Ph.D. Dissertation. Texas A&M por el tráfico de botes en la Amazonia (Inia geoffrensis) in an extreme cetacean against Leptospira sp. and Brucella sp. in free th University, College Station, Texas, USA. colombiana. B.Sc. thesis. Universidad del environment. Journal of Zoology. The living Amazon river dolphins. 15 Biennial Chapter 7 254p. Valle. Cali. 138p. Chapter 7 [ 228 ] [ 229 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

• Molina, J. 2006. El megaproyecto in tropical forest and their climatic y Negro: Distribución, diversidad y pautas • Perrin, W.F., R.L. Brownell, Z. Kaiya, hidroeléctrico y de navegación del río implications. Friends of the Earth, London. para su conservación. Pp. 289-414. In: & L. Jiankang. (Eds.). 1989. Biology Madera. FOBOMADE. Foro boliviano “Plan de Manejo - Reserva de Vida Silvestre and conservation of the river dolphins. sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo. 116p. • Myers, R.A. & B. Worm. 2003. Rapid de Ríos Blanco y Negro”. F.A.N./W.C.S./ Workshop on biology and conservation of worldwide depletion of predatory fish Secretaria Ejecutiva PL-480 Titulo III- the platanistoid dolphins held at Wuham, • Molina, J. (In press). Funcionamiento communities. Nature 423:280–283. USAID/B. Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Republic of China. October 28-30, 1986. hidrológico del tramo del río Madera en Occasional papers of the IUCN species la zona de frontera Bolivia-Brasil. In: Van • Navarro G. & M. Maldonado, 2002. • Pardo, D. 2007. Abundancia y densidad survival commission. (SSC). No. 3: 173. Damme, P.A., J. Molina & F. M. Carvajal- Geografía ecológica de Bolivia. Vegetación de los delfines Inia geoffrensis y Sotalia Vallejos (Eds.). Los peces de la Amazonía y ambientes acuáticos. Centro de Ecología fluviatilis en el río Orinoco (Venezuela) y • Pfeiffer, W.C., L.D..Lacerda, W. Salomons boliviana: hábitats, potencialidades y Simón Patiño, Bolivia. 500 p. de Inia geoffrensis en el río Meta (Colombia) & O. Malm. 1993. Environmental fate of amenazas. Edit. INIA. Cochabamba, en diferentes tipos de hábitat. Pontificia mercury from gold mining in the Brazilian Bolivia. • Nordin, C.F. & R.H. Meade. 1986. The Universidad Javeriana. B.Sc. thesis. 105p. Amazon. Environ. Rev. 1(1): 26-37 Amazon and the Orinoco. Pp. 385-391. • Monteiro-Filho, E.L.A., L. Rabello- In: McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science and • Parra, L. & J. Bolaños. 1998. Observations • Pfeiffer, W.C. & L.D. de Lacerda. 1988. Monteiro & S. Furtado dos Reis. 2002. Technology. McGraw-Hill, Inc. on the ecology, habitat affiliation, and Mercury inputs into the Amazon region, Skull shape and size divergente in dolphins behavior of freshwater dolphins in the Brazil. Enviromental Technology Letters. 9: of the genus Sotalia: A tridimensional • NRIAGU, J.O. 1993. Legacy of mercury Orinoco River Delta, states of Monagas 325 – 330. morphometric analysis. Journal of pollution. Nature 363, 589. and Delta Amacuro, Venezuela. Pp. 104. Mammalogy 83 (1): 125-134. In: Abstracts of the World Marine Mammal • Pilleri, G. 1969. On the behavior of the • Ojeda, Z.V. 1997. Distribución, uso Science Conference. January 20-24, Amazon dolphin Inia geoffrensis in Beni • Moreno, J., J. Velásquez & M. Ropero. 1989. del hábitat, organización grupal y Mónaco. (Bolivia). Review Suisse Zoology 76(4):57- Manual de los ríos navegables. Ministerio fotoidentificación del Tucuxi, Sotalia 91. de Obras Públicas y Transportes DIMAR. fluviatilis (Cetacea: Delphinidae) en el • Peixoto-Boischio, A.A.P. & D. Henshel, Bogotá D.C. 122p. alto río Amazonas. M.Sc. thesis. Instituto 2000. Fish consumption, fish lore and • Pilleri, G. & M. Gihr. 1977. Observations Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de mercury pollution - Risk Communication on the Bolivian, Inia boliviensis (D`Orbigny • Moritz, C. 1994. Application of Monterrey, Guaymas. 100p. for the Madeira river people. Environmental 1834) and the Amazonian bufeo (Blainville mitochondrial DNA analysis in Research Section A. 84:108-126. 1817), with a description of a new species conservation: a critical review. Molecular • Ojeda, Z. & O. Vidal. 1995. Habitat use, (Inia geoffrensis humboldtiana). Invest. Ecology 3: 401-411. home range and group organization of • Perrin, W. F., D.B. Holts & R.B. Miller. Cetacea 8:11-76. the tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) in the upper 1977. Growth and reproduction of the • Moritz, C. 1994. Defining “Evolutionary Amazon River. Pp. 84. In: Abstracts of the eastern spinner dolphin, a geographic form • Pilleri, G. & M. Gihr. 1981. Additional Significant Units” for conservation. Trends 11th Biennial Conference of the Biology os longirostris, in the eastern tropical considerations on the taxonomy of the genus Ecol. Evol. 9:373-375. of Marine Mammals. December 14-18, Pacific. Fish. Bull. U.S. 75:725-50. Inia. Investigations on Cetacea 12:15-27. Orlando Florida, USA. • Murray, B.W., R. Michaud & B.N. White. • Perrin, W.F. & R.L. Brownell Jr. 1989. • Pilleri, G. & O. Pilleri. 1982. Zoologische 1999. Allelic and haplotype variation of the • Osgood, W.H. 1912. Mammals from Report of the Workshop. In: Perrin, W. Expedition zum Orinoco und Brazo major histocompatibility complex class II western Venezuela and eastern Colombia. F., R.L. Brownell Jr., Z. Kaiya, & L. Casiquiare 1981. Bern: Hirnanatomisches DRB1 and DQB loci in the St. Lawrence Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Publ. Zool. 10(5):33– Jiankang (Eds.). Biology and conservation Institut der Universität Bern (Schweiz), beluga (Delphinapterus leucas). Molecular 66. of the river dolphins. International Union 154p. Ecology 8: 1127-1139. for Conservation of Nature and Natural • Painter, R.L.E. (Ed.). 1994. La fauna de la Resources (IUCN) Species Survival • Pilleri, G., G. Marcuzzi & O. Pilleri. 1982. • Myers, N. 1989. Deforestation rates Reserva de Vida Silvestre de los Ríos Blanco Commission, Occasional Paper 3. Speciation in the Platanistoidae: systematic, Chapter 7 Chapter 7 [ 230 ] [ 231 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

zoogeographical and ecological observations Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, • Ribera, J. 2000. Patrimonio espiritual de los de Libros Rojos de Especies Amenazadas on recent species. Investigations on Cetacea D.C. 79p. pueblos amazónicos bolivianos. Vicariato de Colombia. Conservación Internacional 14:15-46. del Beni- Comisión de pastoral indígena. Colombia & Ministerio de Ambiente, • Randall R., D. Smith, E. Crespo & G. Trinidad. Vivienda y Desarrollo Territorial, Bogotá, • Pinto de Sá Alves, L.C., A. Andriolo & M.B. Notarbartolo di Sciara. 2003. Dolphins, D.C., Colombia. 433p. Orams. 2009. Feeding Amazonian boto Whales and Porpoises: 2002-2010 • Rice, D.W. 1998. Marine Mammals of the (Inia geoffrensis) as a tourism attraction. A Conservation Action Plan for the World‘s world: Systematic and distribution. Special • Rodríguez, W. 2000. Contribución al path toward tragedy? Procedings of CMT Cetaceans. IUCN/ SSC Cetacean Specialist Publication Number 4, The Society of conocimiento de la abundancia y frecuencia 2009, the 6th International Congress on Group. Marine Mammalogy, Lawrence, KS. de uso del hábitat de la tonina de río Inia Coastal and Marine Tourism, 23-26 June, geoffrensis en el Parque Nacional Aguaro- Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. 11 p. • Reeves, R.R. & S. Leatherwood. 1994a. • Rios, G.Z. & V.B. Utreras. 2004. Notes on Guariquito, Estado Guárico, Venezuela. Dams and river dolphins: can they co-exist? the distribution of tucuxi, Sotalia fluviatilis Bases para su conservación. B.Sc. thesis. • Pirela, D., J. Bolaños-Jiménez, J. Hernández, Ambio 23:172-175. (Cetacea: Delphinidae), in Ecuatorian Universidad Central de Venezuela. J. Rojas, F. Troncone & J. Velasco. 2002. Amazonia. LAJAM 3(1):85-87. • Romagnoli, F.C., V.M.F. Da Silva, G.H. Estudio preliminar de las interacciones entre • Reeves, R. & S. Leatherwood. 1994b. River Shepard & S.P. Nelson. 2010. Turismo la actividad pesquera, cetáceos y tortugas Dolphins in crisis. The Pilot. Newsletter of • Robineau, D. 1990. Les types de c´etac´es the Marine Mammal Action Plan (9):1,3-7. de interacao com botos-vermelhos: Cómo marinas en el Golfo de Venezuela. Proyecto actuels du Mus´eum National D´Histoire esta atividade pode contribuir com a AC-0806-9, Convenio Corpozulia- Naturelle II. Delphinidae, Phocoenidae. • Reeves, R.R., T. L. McGuire & E.L. conservacao desde golfinhos? Pp 103-104. ICLAM-MINAMB, con participación de Bulletin du Mus´eum National d’Histoire Zuñiga. 1999. Ecology and conservation Abstracts IX Congreso Internacional de Inapesca, LUZ y Sea Vida (en ejecución). Naturelle, Paris 12:197–238. of river dolphins in the Peruvian Amazon. Manejo de Fauna Silvestre en la Amazonía International Marine Biological Research y America Latina, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, • Pittock, J., L.J. Hansen & R. Abell. 2008. • Rojas, J., J. Bolaños-Jiménez, D. Pirela, Institute Reports 9:21-32. Bolivia. 222 p. Running dry: Freshwater biodiversity, J. Hernández, F. Troncote & J. Velasco. 2002. Determinación de la abundancia y protected areas and climate change. Tropical • Romero, A., A.I. Agudo & S.J. Blondell de • Reeves, R.R., B. Smith, E. Crespo & G. distribución de cetáceos y tortugas marinas Conservancy 9 (3-4):30-38 Agudo. 1997. The scientific discovery of the Notarbatolo di Sciara. (compilers). 2003. en el Golfo de Venezuela. Proyecto AC- Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales: 2002-2010 Amazon River dolphin Inia geoffrensis. Mar. 0806-7, Convenio Corpozulia-ICLAM- • Porvari, P. 1995. Mercury levels in the Conservation Action Plan for the World’s Mammal Sci. 13(3):419–426. MINAMB con participación de Inapesca, fish in Tucuruí hydroelectric reservoir and Cetaceans. IUCN/SSC Cetacean Specialist LUZ y Sea Vida (en ejecución). in River Mojo in Amazonia, in the state Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and • Romero, A., I. Agudo, S.M. Green & G. of Pará, Brazil. The Science of the Total Cambridge, UK. 139p. Notarbartolo di Sciara. 2001. Cetaceans Environment 175:109-117. • Rodríguez, F., M. Rodríguez & P. Vásquez. of Venezuela: Their Distribution and 1995. Realidad y perspectivas. La Reserva • Reeves R., T.A. Jefferson, L. Karczmarski, Conservation Status. NOAA Technical • Pouilly, M., S. Beck, M. Moraes M. & C. K. Laidre, G. O’Corry-Crowe, L. Rojas- Nacional Pacaya-Samiria análisis integrado. Report NMFS 151. Ibañez (2006) (Eds.). Diversidad biológica Bracho, E. R. Secchi, E. Slooten, B. Smith, J. ProNaturaleza. Lima, Peru. en la llanura de inundación del río Mamoré. Y. Wang & K. Zhou. 2008. Inia geoffrensis. • Romero, N. & M. Ruiz-García. 2008. Fundación Simón Patiño. Santa Cruz, IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened • Rodríguez, J.P. & F. Rojas-Suarez. 1999. Spatial and genetic relatedness among Bolivia. 383p. Species. 2010:February 19, 2010. Libro Rojo de la Fauna Venezolana. river pink dolphin (Inia) populations using Segunda Edición. PROVITA. Fundación RAPD markers. I. Macrogeographical • Ramos, R.M. 1999. Contribución al • Reinert, T.R. & K.A. Winter. 2002. Polar. Venezuela. level. Genetics and Molecular Biology conocimiento de la ecología alimentaria de Sustainability of harvested pacú (submitted). los delfínes de río Inia geoffrensis y Sotalia (Colossoma macropomum) populations • Rodríguez-Mahecha, J.V., M. Alberico, F. fluviatilis en algunos sistemas lénticos de in the northeastern Bolivian Amazon. Trujillo & J. Jorgenson (Eds.). 2006. Libro • Rosas, F. & K. Lehti. 1996. Nutritional and la Amazonía colombiana. M.Sc. thesis. Conservation Biology 16(5): 1334-1351. Rojo de los mamíferos de Colombia. Serie mercury content of milk of the Amazon river Chapter 7 Chapter 7 [ 232 ] [ 233 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

dolphin, Inia geoffrensis. Comp. Biochem. populations from Colombia and Bolivia. • Ruiz-García, M., M. Martínez-Agüero, P. Pp. 125-126. In: Abstracts of the 4th Annual Physiol. 115 A(2): 117-119. Acta Theriologica 51(4): 411-426. Escobar-Armel, D. Alvarez & E. Banguera. Conference of the European Cetacean 2008e. Phylogeography analysis of the Society. Jan 11-14, Palma de Mallorca, • Roulet, M., M. Lucotte, I. Rheault, S. Tran, • Ruiz-García, M., A. Murillo., C. Corrales., Amazon river dolphin (Inia) by means of Spain. N. Farella, R. Canuel, D. Mergler & M. N. Romero-Alean & D. Alvarez-Prada. 2007. mitochondrial control region sequences Amorim. 1996. Mercury. Pp. 453-457. In: Genética de Poblaciones Amazónicas: La and DNA microsatellites. The Journal of • Schnapp, D. & J. Howroyd. 1992. Amazonian soils: Accumulation and release. historia evolutiva del jaguar, ocelote, delfín Heredity (submitted). Distribution and local range of the Orinoco Proceeding of the Fourth International rosado, mono lanudo y piurí reconstruida a dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) in the Apure River, Symposium on the Geochemistry of the partir de sus genes. Animal Biodiversity and • Ruiz-García, M., L. Castellanos-Mora, Venezuela. Z. Säugetierkunde 57: 313-315. Earth’s Surface, Ilkely, UK. Conservation 30 (2): 115-130. F. Trujillo. 2008f. Morphometric skull analyses in pink river dolphins (Inia sp): • Serrano, D.B. V.M.F. Da Silva & A.R. • Ruiz-García, M. 2008. Where and when • Ruiz-García, M., L. Castellanos-Mora & Congruent results with molecular and body Martin. 2007. Illegal hunting causes Inia colonized the South America freshwater F. Trujillo. 2008a. Morphometric skull morphometrics. (submitted). depletion of Amazon river dolphins th systems: new insights from morphological, analyses in pink river dolphins (Inia sp.): (Inia geoffrensis) in Brazil. 17 Biennial molecular and geologic data. In: Ruiz-García Congruent results with molecular and body • Saillard, J., P. Forster, N. Lynnerup, H-J. Conference of Marine Mammals, Cape M. & J. Shostell (Eds.).Biology, evolution, morphometrics. (submitted). Bandelt & S. Norby. 2000. mtDNA Town, South Africa. and conservation of river dolphins within variation among Greenland Eskimos: the South America and Asia: unknown dolphins • Ruiz-García, M., S. Caballero, M. Martínez- edge of the Beringian expansion. American • Serrill, M. S. 1994. The poisoned Amazon. Aguero & J. Shostell. 2008b. Molecular Time. January10th:28-29. in danger. Nova Science Publishers., Inc. Journal of Human Genetics 67: 718-726. differentiation among Inia geoffrensis and USA. Inia boliviensis (Iniidae, Cetacea) by means • Sioli, H. 1975. Tropical River: The Amazon. • Salinas, A. 2007. Distribución y estado of nuclear intron sequences. In: Population Pp. 461- 488. In: Whitton B.A. (Ed.) Studies • Ruiz-García, M. 2010. Changes in the poblacional del bufeo (Inia boliviensis) en los Genetics Research Progress. Koven, V. in Ecology, Vol. 2 River Ecology. Blackwell demographic trends of Pink River Dolphins ríos Blanco y San Martín (Cuenca del Río 2004. Nova Science Publisher, Inc. New Scientific Publications, Oxford. (Inia) at the microgeographical level in Iténez). B.Sc. thesis. Universidad Mayor de York. Capítulo 6: 1-27. (citado por Bolivia) Peruvian and Bolivian rivers and within San Simón. Cochabamba- Bolivia. 95p. • Slater, C. 1994. The dance of the dolphin: the Upper Amazon: Microsatellites and • Ruiz-García, M., P. Escobar-Armel, transformation and disenchantment in mtDNA analyses and insights into Inia´s S. Caballero & E. Secchi. 2008c. • Sánchez-Criollo, L., Y. Briceño-Reina, J. the Amazonian imagination. University origin. Capítulo 9. In: Ruiz-García, M. & Determination of microsatellite mutation Bolaños-Jiménez, J. Hernández-Rangél & of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois, USA. J. Shostell (Eds.). Biology, evolution, and rates and effective numbers in four Cetacean L. Bermúdez-Villapol. 2007. Interacciones 314p. conservation of river dolphins Within South species (Inia boliviensis, Inia geoffrensis, antrópicas como causas del incremento en America and Asia. Hauppauge, New York: Pontoporia blainvillei and Sotalia fluviatilis): la mortalidad y varamientos de cetáceos en • Smith, N. J.H. 1985. The impact of cultural Nova Science Publishers. Inc. comparisons with terrestrial mammals. el estado Zulia. Resúmenes VII Congreso and ecological change on Amazonian Molecular Biology and Evolution (in press). Venezolano de Ecología, Ciudad Guayana, fisheries. Biological Conservation. 32:355- • Ruiz-García, M. & N. Romero. 2008. Estado Bolívar, Venezuela. 373. Spatial and genetic relatedness among • Ruiz-García, M., M. Martínez-Agüero, river pink dolphin (Inia) populations using P. Escobar-Armel & D. Álvarez. 2008d. • Saunders, D.L., J.J. Meeuwig & A.C. • Smith, B. 1993. 1990. Status and RAPD markers. II. Microgeographical level Historical demographic evolution in the Vincent. 2002. Freshwater Protected Areas: conservation of the Ganges river dolphin, in Peruvian and Bolivian rivers. Heredity pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis and Inia Strategies for Conservation. Conservation Platanista gangetica, in the Karnali River, (submitted). boliviensis) and demographic relationships Biology 16(1):30-41. Nepal. Biological Conservation 63(3):159- with other Latin American dolphins related 170. • Ruiz-García, M., E. Banguera-Hinestroza with freshwater systems (Sotalia fluviatilis • Schnapp, D. & J. Howroyd. 1990. & H. Cárdenas. 2006. Morphological and Pontoporia blainvillei). Molecular Distribution and local range of the boto • Smith, B. 1994. Status of Ganges river analysis of three Inia (Cetacea: Iniidae) Ecology (submitted). Inia geoffrensis in the Río Apure, Venezuela. dolphins (Platanista gangetica) in the Chapter 7 Chapter 7 [ 234 ] [ 235 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Karnali, Mahakali, Narayani and Sapta the Amazon: Contamination of man and y Sotalia fluviatilis en el río Caquetá, • Trujillo, F. & S. Kendall. 1998. Cambios Kosi rivers of Nepal and India in 1993. Mar. environment. Organohalogen Compounds Colombia. Special Report. Vol. 71 Centro estacionales y cíclico en los patrones de uso Mammal. Scin. 10(3): 368-375. 69:540-543. de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Inia geoffrensis y Sotalia fluviatilis en dos Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Bogotá, D.C. 36p. lagos de la Amazonia. Pp. 216. In: Abstracts • Solokov, V.E. & V.A. Yaskin. 1996. • Trebbau, P. 1975. Measurements and some of the 8th Meeting of the South American Distribution, population density, and some observations on the freshwater dolphin, Inia • Trujillo, F. 1997. The development of a Aquatic Mammal Specialist Group. behavioral peculiarities of Amazonian geoffrensis, in the Apure River, Venezuela. research methodology to study the behaviour November 25-29, Olinda, Brazil. Dolphins. Pp. 284-285. In: Solokov V.E. Zool. Garten N. F. (Jena) 45: 153-167. and ecology of the freshwater dolphins (Ed.) Amazonski delfin. Nauka, Moscow, Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis in • Trujillo, F. & M.C. Diazgranados. 2000. Russia. • Trebbau, P. & P. J. H. van Bree. 1974. Notes the Colombian Amazon. M.Sc. Thesis, Estructura grupal de Inia geoffrensis en la concerning the freshwater dolphin Inia University of Greenwich, London. 125p. Amazonia y Orinoquia colombianas. Pp. • Sylvestre, J.P. 1985. Some observations geoffrensis (de Blainville, 1817) in Venezuela. 132. In: Abstracts of the 9th Reunião de on the behavior of two Orinoco dolphins Zeitschrift des Säugetierk 39: 50 – 57. • Trujillo, F. 2000. Habitat use and social Trabalho de Especialistas en Mamíferos (Inia geoffrensis humboldtiana, Pilleri & behavior of freshwater dolphin Inia Aquáticos da América do Sul. October Gihr 1977), in captivity, at Duisburg Zoo. • Troncone, F., J. Bolaños-Jiménez, L. Botero geoffrensis (de Blanville, 1817) in the Amazon 30-November 3, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Aquatic Mammals. 11(2): 58-65. & J. Rojas. 2002. Caracterización de la and Orinoco basins. Ph.D. Thesis, Aberdeen calidad físico-química y biológica del agua University, Scotland. • Trujillo, F. & M.C. Diazgranados. 2002. • Tapia, C. 1995. Mamíferos acuáticos de en el Golfo de Venezuela. Proyecto AC- Delfines de río en la Amazonia y Orinoquia: la Reserva de Vida Silvestre Ríos Blanco y 0806-8, Convenio Corpozulia-ICLAM- • Trujillo, F. 2009. Turismo de observacion Ecología y Conservación. Fundación de fauna silvestre: aspectos relevantes para Negro. Santa Cruz. Not published report. MINAMB and Inapesca, LUZ & Sea Vida. Omacha, Bogotá, D.C. 41p. ser considerados.Pp 79-85 En: Diagnostico • Trujillo, F. 1990. Aspectos ecológicos y y bases para consolidar la Estrategia de • Trujillo, F. & M.C. Diazgranados. 2004. etológicos de los delfines Inia geoffrensis (de Turismo Sostenible en la Reserva de • Tarifa T, 1996. Mamíferos. Pp. 165-264. In: Variación estacional en el uso de hábitat del Blainville, 1817) y Sotalia fluviatilis(Gervais, Biosfera El Tuparro (RBT), Orinoquia Ergueta, P. & C. De Morales (Eds.). Libro delfín de río, Inia geoffrensis humboldtiana, en 1853) en la Amazonia colombiana. B.Sc. colombiana (D.A. Uribe-Restrepo). Rojo de los vertebrados de Bolivia. CDC- la Orinoquia colombiana. In: Diazgranados, thesis. Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano. Fundacion Omacha-Fundacion Horizonte Bolivia. M.C. & F. Trujillo (Eds.). Fauna Acuática 70p. Verde. Bogta, Colombia. de la Orinoquia Colombiana. Pontificia • Tirira, D. 2001. Libro Rojo de los Mamíferos • Trujillo, F. 1992. Estimación poblacional de Universidad Javeriana, Instituto de del Ecuador. SIMBIOE, Quito. • Trujillo, F. & S. Beltrán. 1992. Mortalidad las especies dulceacuícolas de delfines Inia incidental y dirigida de Inia geoffrensis y estudios Ambientales para el Desarrollo, geoffrensis y Sotalia fluviatilis en el sistema Departamento de Ecología y Territorio • Tirira, D. 2004. Nombres de los Mamíferos Sotalia fluviatilis en la Amazonía y Orinoquía lacustre de Tarapoto y El Correo, Amazonia (IDADE-DET). Bogotá, D.C. 393p. del Ecuador. Ediciones Murciélago Blanco, colombiana. Resúmenes (Abstracts), V colombiana. Special Report. Vol. 49. Centro Quito. Reunión de Especialistas en Mamíferos de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Acuáticos de América del Sur. Buenos Aires, • Trujillo, F., M.C. Diazgranados, S. Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Bogotá, D.C. 199p. Headly, F. Márquez & R. Williams. 2002. • Tirira, D. 2007. Mamíferos del Ecuador, Argentina. 9p. Estimación de abundancia de delfines de Guía de Campo. Ediciones Murciélago • Trujillo, F. 1994. The use of photo- río Inia geoffrensis y Sotalia fluviatilis en el Blanco, Quito. • Trujillo, F. & S. Beltrán. 1996. Patrones de identification to study the Amazon River uso del habitat de Inia geoffrensis y Sotalia Amazonas colombiano. Unpublished. Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and Tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis en el Amazonas Colombiano. • Torres, J.P.M., J. Lailson-Brito, G.C. fluviatilis) in the colombian Amazon. Mar. Special Report. Vol. 69. Centro de • Trujillo, F., C. Gómez, M.C. Diazgranados Saldanha, P. Dorneles, C.E. Azevedo e Silva, Mamm. Sci. 10(3): 348-353. O. Malm, J.R.D. Guimaraes, A. Azeredo, Investigaciones Científicas Universidad & J. Alonso. 2005a. Killing of the River W. R. Bastos, V.M.F. Da Silva, A. Martin, Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Bogotá, D.C. Dolphin Inia geoffrensis in the Amazon: A • Trujillo, F. 1995. Aspectos del comporta- th L. Claudio & S. Markowitz. 2007. POPs in Colombia. 165p. new technique. The 16 Biennal Conference Chapter 7 miento y la distribución de Inia geoffrensis Chapter 7 [ 236 ] [ 237 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

on the Biology of Marine Mammals. San M. Portocarrero, C. Gómez & D. Pardo. UICN. UICN, Gland, Suiza y Cambridge, Yasuní, Amazonía ecuatoriana. Technical Diego, California. 2006c. Abundance estimation of the river Reino Unido. report. Wildlife Conservation Society – dolphins Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis Programa Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador. • Trujillo, F., M.C. Diazgranados, C. Lasso in the Orinoco River: A combination of • UICN. 2008. Guidelines for applying & L.E Pérez. 2005b. Evaluación de las strip and line transects. Primera Reunión protected area management categories. • Utreras, V., D. Tirira & D. Denkinger. concentraciones de mercurio en peces Internacional sobre el Estudio de los Draft of revised guidelines. January 2008 2001a. Inia geoffrensis, delfín rosado. Pp. 82- de interés comercial, organoclorados y Mamíferos Acuáticos SOMEMMA- version. IUCN Gland. 84. In: Tirira, D. (Ed.). Libro Rojo de los organofosforados como indicadores de SOLAMAC. 5 al 9 Noviembre. Mérida, Mamíferos del Ecuador. SIMBIOE, Quito. contaminación en ecosistemas acuáticos de Yucatán, México. • UICN. 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened la Orinoquia. Informe Técnico. Fundación Species. Version 2010.1 www.iucnredlist.org • Utreras, V., D. Tirira & D. Denkinger. Omacha, WWF, Fundación La Salle. • Trujillo, F., M. Portocarrero & C. 2001b. Sotalia fluviatilis, delfín gris de río. Gómez (Eds.). 2008a. Plan de manejo y • Utreras, V. 1995. Abundance estimation, Pp. 80-81. In: Tirira, D. (Ed.) Libro Rojo • Trujillo, F., D. Caicedo-Herrera, M. conservación de especies amenazadas en la ecological and ethological aspects of the de los Mamíferos del Ecuador. SIMBIOE, Portocarrero & C. Gómez. 2006. Evaluación Reserva de Biósfera El Tuparro: Delfines de Amazon river dolphin Inia geoffrensis in Quito. de las poblaciones de delfinesInia geoffrensis río, nutrias, manatí, jaguar y tortugas del eastern Ecuador. Pp. 117. In: Abstracts of th y otras poblaciones de fauna acuática, en el género Podocnemis. Proyecto Pijiwi Orinoco the 11 Biennial conference of the Biology • Van Bénéden, P. J. 1864. Sur un dauphin segmento del río Meta entre los ríos Yucao (Fundación Omacha - Fundación Horizonte of Marine Mammals. December 14-18, nouveau et un Ziphioıde rare. Mémoires y Cusiana: Evaluación del vertimiento de Verde), Forest Conservation Agreement, Orlando Florida, USA. Couronnés et Autres Mémoires, publiés par aguas residuales. Technical report. Bogotá D.C. Colombia. L’Academie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres • Utreras, V. 1996. Estimación de la et desBeaux-Arts de Belgique XVI:1–21. • Trujillo, F., M.C. Diazgranados, A. Galindo • Trujillo, F., C. Gómez, M.C. Diazgranados abundancia, aspectos ecológicos y etológicos & L. Fuentes. 2006a. Delfín rosado Inia & J.C. Alonso. 2008b. Capturas dirigidas del delfín amazónico Inia geoffrensis • Van Bree, P. J. 1974. On the diagnosis of the geoffrensis pp.285. In: Rodríguez-M., J.V., de delfines de río en la Amazonia para la geoffrensis (Cetacea: Iniidae) en el río South American dolphin Sotalia fluviatilis M. Alberico, F. Trujillo & J. Jorgenson pesca de mota (Calophysus macropterus): una Lagartococha, Amazonía ecuatoriana. B.Sc. and its author. Zeitschrift des Säugetierk (Eds.) Libro Rojo de los Mamíferos de problemática regional de gran impacto. Pp. thesis. Pontificia Universidad Católica del 39:57–58. Colombia. Serie Libros Rojos de Especies 39 – 38. In: Trujillo, F., J.C. Alonso, M.C. Ecuador, Quito. Amenazadas de Colombia. Conservación Diazgranados & C. Gómez (Eds). 2008. • Van Bree P.J.H. & D. Rabineau, 1973. Notes Internacional & Ministerio de Ambiente, Fauna acuática amenazada en la Amazonia • Utreras, V. 2001a. Visión general de los sur les holotype de bufeo Inia geoffrensis Vivienda y Desarrollo Territorial. Bogotá, colombiana. Análisis y propuestas para su mamíferos acuáticos en el Ecuador, con geoffrensis (de Blainville, 1817) et bufeo D.C., Colombia. conservación. Fundación Omacha, Instituto énfasis en el Parque Nacional Yasuní. Pp. SINCHI, Corpoamazonia y Fundación 157-164. In: Jorgenson, J.P. & M. Coello- Inia geoffrensis boliviensis (d’Orbigny, 1834) • Trujillo, F., M.C. Diazgranados, A. Galindo Natura. Bogotá, D.C. - Colombia Rodríguez (Eds.) Conservación y desarrollo (Cetacea, Platinistidae). Mammalia 37: 658- & L. Fuentes. 2006b. Delfín gris Sotalia sostenible del Parque Nacional Yasuní y su 664. fluviatilis pp.273. In: Rodríguez-M., J.V., • Tyack,P.L. & E.H. Miller. 2002. Vocal área de influencia. Memorias del Seminario- M. Alberico, F. Trujillo & J. Jorgenson Anatomy, acoustic communication and Taller 2001. Ministerio del Ambiente/ • Van Damme, P. 2002. Disponibilidad, (Eds.). Libro Rojo de los Mamíferos de echolocation. Pp. 142-184. In: A. Rus UNESCO/Wildlife Conservation Society, uso, conservación y manejo de recursos Colombia. Serie Libros Rojos de Especies Hoelzel (Ed.). Marine Mammal Biology: an Editorial Simbioe, Quito. hidrobiológicos en el altiplano boliviano. Amenazadas de Colombia. Conservación evolutonary Approach.().Blackwell Publish. Agualtiplano. 95 p. Internacional & Ministerio de Ambiente, 432p. • Utreras, V. 2001b. La nutria gigante Vivienda y Desarrollo Territorial. Bogotá, (Pteronura brasiliensis), el delfín amazónico • Van Damme, P.A. & F. Carvajal. 2005. D.C., Colombia. • UICN. 2001. Categorías y Criterios de (Inia geoffrensis) y otras especies de mamíferos Recursos pesqueros y pesca en los ríos la Lista Roja de la UICN: Versión 3.1. acuáticos, en las cuencas de los río Yasuní, Blanco y San Martín, cuenca del río Iténez, • Trujillo, F., F. Daza, M.C. Diazgranados, Comisión de Supervivencia de Especies de la Tiputini y Tivacuno – Parque Nacional Beni-Bolivia. Faunagua. 32p. Chapter 7 Chapter 7 [ 238 ] [ 239 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

• Van Damme, P.A., F. Maldonado, R. • Von Humboldt, A. 1814. 1852. Personal Sanabria, J. Rojas, F. Carvajal & C. narrative of travels to the equinoctial regions Vandecasteele. 2000. Diversidad acuática of America during the years 1799–1804. en un río en la zona de influencia de un Henry G. Bohn, London, 3 vols. pozo petrolero (Carrasco, Cochabamba, Bolivia). Revista Boliviana de Ecología y • WCPA. Strategic Plan 2005-2012. IUCN. Conservación Ambiental. • World Health Organization (WHO). • Vidal O. 1993. Aquatic mammal Polychlorinated Biphenyls And Terphenyls. conservation in Latin America: Problems Environmental Health Criteria. Geneva: and perspectives. Conservation Biology World Health Organization, v. 68, 1993. 7:788-795 • Würsing, B., & T.A. Jefferson, 1990. • Vidal, O., J. Barlow, L.A. Hurtado, J. Torre, Methods of photo-identification for small P. Cendón & Z. Ojeda.1993. Distribution cetaceans. Rep. Int. Whl. Commn, (12): and abundance of the Amazon river dolphin 43-52. (Inia geoffrensis) and the tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) in the upper Amazon River. • Yañez, M. 1999. Etología, ecología y conservación del delfín Inia geoffrensis en los • Vidal, O., J. Barlow, L. Hurtado, J. Torre, P. ríos Iténez y Paraguá del Parque Nacional Cendon & O. Zully. 1997. Distribution and Noel Kempff Mercado. UMSA. Facultad Abundance of the Amazon River Dolphin de Ciencias Puras y Naturales. M.Sc. thesis. (Inia geoffrensis) and the Tucuxi (Sotalia 110p. fluviatilis) in the upper Amazon River. Mar. Mamm. Sci. 13(3): 427-445. • Zapata-Ríos, G. & V. Utreras. 2004. Notes on the distribution of tucuxi, Sotalia • Viloria, A. & T. Barros. 2000. La fauna fluviatilis (Cetacea: Delphinidae), in estuarine: otros vertebrados. Pp. 243- Ecuadorian Amazonia. The Latin American 246. In: G. Rodríguez (Ed.). El sistema Journal of Aquatic Mammals 3(1): 85-87. de Maracaibo. Segunda Edición. Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas. • Zúñiga, E.L. 1999. Seasonal distribution of Caracas. 264p. freshwater dolphins in Tipishca del Samiria, Peru. M.Sc. Thesis, Texas A&M University, • Villas-Boas, R. 1997. The mercury problem College Station, Texas, USA. 126 in the Amazon due to gold extraction. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 58: 217-222.

• Viña, G., E. Sánchez-Triana & A. Uribe. 1992. Impacto de los derrames de petróleo en Colombia. Revista de Planeación y Desarrollo, Bogotá, D.C. 23(2): 291-313. Chapter 7

[ 240 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Chapter 8 List of participants – Organizations (Brief summary) The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

List of Participants - Organizations (Brief summary)

Country Participants Organization e-mail

Venezuela Félix Daza WCS [email protected]

Instituto de Investigación de los Venezuela Carlos Lasso Recursos Biológicos Alexander [email protected] von Humboldt

Arnaldo.ferrer@fundacionlasalle. Venezuela Arnaldo Ferrer Fundación La Salle org.ve

Venezuela Jaime Bolaño SEA VIDA [email protected]

Ecuador Esteban Suárez WCS [email protected]

Ecuador Jaime Jalil Universidad Católica de Quito [email protected]

Peru Aldo Soto WWF [email protected]

Carlos Marcial Peru Director de Medio Ambiente [email protected] Chapter 8 Perea Chapter 8 [ 242 ] [ 243 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Country Participants Organization e-mail Country Participants Organization e-mail

Peru Lourdes Ruck WCS [email protected] Brazil Vera da Silva INPA [email protected] Paul van Bolivia FaunAgua [email protected] Brazil Paulo Flores IBAMA-ICMBio [email protected] Damme Fernanda Bolivia Adriana Salinas FaunAgua [email protected] Brazil WCS [email protected] Marques Bolivia Gabriela Tavera FaunAgua [email protected] Brazil Nidia Fabre INPA [email protected] Bolivia Luis Arteaga DGB [email protected] Sandra Beltrán Brazil Unisalle [email protected] Bolivia Lilian Painter WCS [email protected] Pedreros Bolivia Damián Rumiz WCS [email protected] Carlos Edgar [email protected] Ana Karina Directora de Medio Ambiente Brazil de Carvalho Bolivia [email protected] [email protected] Bello Beni Freitas

Bolivia Lila Sainz WWF [email protected] Argentina Enrique Crespo IUCN [email protected]

Bolivia Nardin Pizarro [email protected] Switzerland Alice Eymard WWF [email protected] Viviane van Bolivia WWF [email protected] Oven England Alison Wood WDCS [email protected] Bolivia Enzo Aliaga WWF [email protected] Fernando Colombia OMACHA [email protected] Trujillo Marcela INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED – Brief Colombia OMACHA [email protected] Portocarrero Summary Catalina Colombia OMACHA [email protected] WWF - World Wide Fund For Nature 2. Ensuring that the use of renewable natural Gómez Is one of the world‘s largest and most respected resources is sustainable and 3. promoting Colombia Saulo Usma WWF [email protected] independent conservation organizations the reduction of pollution and wasteful founded on the 11th of September 1961. WWF consumption. Colombia César Suárez WWF [email protected] as a global organization acts locally through a Julio M. network of over 90 offices in over 40 countries www.panda.org Colombia WWF [email protected] Fernández around the world which vary in their degree of Carmen autonomy. Colombia WWF [email protected] Candelo Fundación Omacha Its mission is to stop the degradation of the Is a Colombian Non Governmental Colombia Padu Franco WCS [email protected] planet’s natural environment and to build a Organization, with no lucrative goals and Alejandra future in which humans live in harmony with dedicated to the research and conservation Colombia Natutama [email protected] Galindo nature, by conducting three main actions: of natural resources focused on the aquatic ecosystems. Omacha´s job is based on the Colombia Manuel Ruiz PUJ [email protected] 1. Conserving the world’s biological diversity. integration of the biological knowledge Chapter 8 Chapter 8 [ 244 ] [ 245 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

generated by its researchers and the cultural Established in 1987, WDCS is staffed by 3. Through the media, events, exhibitions, recourses and wetlands of Bolivia. Faunagua knowledge of local communities. Most of over 70 people, along with many volunteers, visitor centres, websites and more, WDCS seeks the following objectives: the species with which the Foundation works located in its offices in Argentina, Australia, spreads the word about the need to protect are under a threatened category. Omacha´s Austria, Germany, the UK and the US. This these incredible animals. And with offices 1. To promote the reconciliation between Action Plan involves three main lines of action: team of people is dedicated and determined worldwide and an international network of conservation and development through the Biological and Ecological Research, Social to do their best for the animals and proud of consultants and projects this Foundation´s sustainable, social, economic and ecologic encouragement and support to productive the fact that WDCS‘s operating costs are kept reach is truly global. Locally, education management of freshwater resources. projects and Environmental Education and to a minimum. The money raised is spent on and awareness-raising initiatives range disclosure. urgent conservation, research and education from talking to school children to training 2. To promote the access and sustainable use projects that really do make a difference to the educators and whale-watch operators. of the freshwater and fish resources with daily lives and long-term security of thousands www.omacha.org equity, justice and social involvement. of whales, dolphins and porpoises around the www.wdcs.org world. 3. To consider the water as a common resource SOLAMAC - Sociedad Latino Americana and a social right to overcome poverty. de Especialistas en Mamíferos Acuáticos WDCS work is divided into three main areas: WCS - The Wildlife Conservation Society The Latin American Society on Aquatic Founded in 1895, has the clear mission to 1. WDCS shared purpose and compassion 4. To respect the local knowledge, its structures, Mammals, was founded on the 28th of October save wildlife and wild places across the globe. defends these remarkable animals against dynamics, social rhythms and customs. 1994. The Society has a scientific character and Our story began in the early 1900’s when we many dangers - whaling, dolphin hunts, it does not follow lucrative goals. Its objectives successfully helped the American bison recover fisheries bycatch, captivity, chemical www.faunagua.org are: 1. To promote the scientific research on on the Western Plains. With a commitment to and noise pollution, climate change different species of aquatic mammals in Latin protect 25 percent of the world’s biodiversity, and ship strikes. This Institution brings America. 2. To spread scientific knowledge this institution addresses four of the biggest individuals and groups together to create Fundación La Salle de Ciencias Naturales about the different species of aquatic mammals, issues facing wildlife and wild places: climate strong local, national and international Is a Venezuelan Institution with no lucrative through the release of an informative bulletin, change; natural resource exploitation; the campaigns to stop these threats. It also goals and dedicated to grant technical education scientific meetings and in the future a Scientific connection between wildlife health and human engages with international conventions, to develop scientific research related to the Journal. 3. To give scientific opinion when it health; and the sustainable development of national governments, other conservation natural and social sciences of Venezuela and is necessary and to advise on topics related to human livelihoods. WCS currently manages organizations and local communities. to transfer to local communities and related, these species and the environmental problems about 500 conservation projects in more than the necessary tools to conduct extension and affecting the region. 4. To promote the 60 countries. While taking on these issues, 2. WDCS recognizes the needs of individual production programmes that promote its self- knowledge about aquatic mammals in the animals, as well as groups of whales and they also manage more than 200 million acres development. mainstream of all South American countries dolphins. Working with local communities, of protected lands around the world, with more and finally to be a space to reflect on the defend the animals at risk and the places than 200 scientists as staff. www.fundacionlasalle.org.ve ethic and cultural aspects involved in the and conditions they need to survive. conservation of aquatic mammals. www.wcs.org This year alone they have been funding 32 www.solamac.org conservation and science projects, spanning The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) 25 countries. On an international scale, FAUNAGUA Is a UK registered charity offering a range determination and diplomacy creates Is a Bolivian Association created in 2004 as of Awards and grants to outstanding nature WDCS the Whale and Dolphin agreements between governments which can a Non Governmental Organization with no conservationists around the world. WFN Conservation Society address multiple threats and protect species lucrative goals. Since it was founded, Faunagua locates and recognizes some of the world’s most It is the world‘s most active charity dedicated across their entire ranges. ‘Action Plans’ to has been conducting projects orientated to dynamic conservation leaders and support to the conservation and welfare of all whales, address the threats ensure these agreements development within the general framework of projects founded on good science, community dolphins and porpoises. make a real difference. the conservation and management of freshwater involvement and pragmatism. Chapter 8 Chapter 8 [ 246 ] [ 247 ] The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020 The Action Plan for South American River Dolphins 2010 - 2020

Through a process of reference, application and Sciences, Climate and aquatic resources and Plan for the World‘s Cetaceans produced of its achievements but also recognizes that interview, WFN identifies effective national Human and Social Sciences. by the group in 2003 and published by SSC its role is really only the first step, and that and regional conservation leaders and celebrates (Species Survival Commission). This provides cetacean conservation depends on the efforts of them through Whitley Awards, now amongst www.inpa.gov.br scientific information about the current status governments, NGOs, and local communities to the most high profile of conservation prizes. Of of cetaceans worldwide; identifies threats take the conservation process to the next level of the Whitley Award winners selected each year, to their survival, and recommends specific saving species and populations. Collaborations one recipient goes on to also win the prestigious IUCN/SCG – the International Union conservation actions. between the CSG and other groups are essential Gold Award, worth an additional £30,000. for Conservation of Nature/Cetacean if progress is to be made. The Group has over Specialist Group Providing expert advice for science-based 75 members worldwide contributing significant WFN aims to provide support throughout The IUCN, helps the world find pragmatic conservation, the Group has made a experience and expertise to the growing pool of the career path of a conservationist. As part solutions to our most pressing environment substantial contribution towards establishing knowledge about cetaceans. of the Whitley Award application process, we and development challenges. It supports and promoting critical priorities. It is proud offer Associate Awards - small to medium sized scientific research, manages field projects all grants of up to £10,000 - to team leaders who, over the world and brings governments, non- though not yet advanced enough to win a full government organizations, United Nations Whitley Award, show outstanding promise. agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy, laws www.whitleyaward.org and best practice.

IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest INPA Intituto Nacional de Pesquisas global environmental network - a democratic da Amazônia or National Institute of membership union with more than 1,000 Amazonian Research (Brazil) government and NGO member organizations, Was created in1952 and implemented in1954. and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more This Institute has been conducting scientific than 160 countries. research on the environment and the life conditions of the Amazon Region to promote IUCN’s work is supported by more than 1,000 humane welfare and its sustainable socio professional staff in 60 offices and hundreds of economic development. Currently, the INPA is partners in public, NGO and private sectors a worldwide reference in Tropical Biology. around the world. The Union’s headquarters are located in Gland, near Geneva, Switzerland. It is part of the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology. This Institute’s mission is to Since the 1960s, the Cetacean Specialist Group generate and spread knowledge and technology (CSG) has played a major role in identifying and to train human resources for the regional problems of conservation of the world‘s development. dolphins, whales and porpoises, and brokering approaches to their solution. Some progress has To reach this goal, the Institute conducts been made in cetacean conservation, but grave research on the following areas: Botanic, threats to the continued existence of many Aquatic Biology, Ecology, Aquaculture, Food species still exist and some are worsening. The Technology, Health Sciences, Forest’s Products, global situation is outlined in Dolphins, Whales Natural Products, Entomology, Agronomic and Porpoises: 2002-2010 Conservation Action Chapter 8 Chapter 8 [ 248 ] [ 249 ]