Our partners from PROYECTO SOTALIA, led by Yurasi Briceño, and Fundación OMACHA, led by our colleague Fernando Trujillo, are currently traveling along the Río Casiquiare in Venezuela to survey the Inia population (Inia geoffrensis) and determine its numbers using river transects. This is the first time that an expedition to study Inias has been conducted on this river. Until now, nothing is known about the population size and distribution of Inias in this river system. The data is important for determining the threat status of Inias in Venezuela and developing appropriate measures to protect this dolphin species.
The Río Casiquiare 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 on the size of the population, as well as the movement patterns and health status of Inia geoffrensis, will be collected. The Río Casiquiare is one of the most pristine, species-rich, and least explored places in the Venezuelan Amazon, and any contribution to knowledge about this area is valuable.
