Our partners from PROYECTO SOTALIA, led by Yurasi Briceño, and the Fundación OMACHA, led by our colleague Fernando Trujillo, are currently on the Río Casiquiare in Venezuela to survey the Inia population (Inia geoffrensis) and determine its size using river transects. This is the first time an expedition has been conducted to study Inias in this river. To date, nothing is known about the population size and distribution of Inias in this river system. The data is crucial for determining the conservation status of Inias in Venezuela and developing appropriate measures to protect this dolphin species.
The Casiquiare River connects South America’s two major river basins, the Orinoco and the Amazon. This first expedition is a joint effort with Colombian colleagues in collaboration with government and academic institutions. Data will be collected on the population size, movement patterns, and health status of Inia geoffrensis. The Río Casiquiare is one of the most pristine, species-rich, and least-explored areas in the Venezuelan Amazon, and every contribution to our knowledge of this region is valuable.
