The Gephyreus project is committed to the conservation of the highly endangered Lahille dolphin (Tursiops gephyreus). Since its inception, it has been supported by YAQU PACHA, Nuremberg Zoo, Zoomarine Portugal, Duisburg Zoo, Rancho Texas, and Heidelberg Zoo. The aim is to strengthen international cooperation and implement effective conservation measures.
A milestone was the launch of the official website www.gephyreus.org, which brings together scientific findings, the latest news, and events, thereby promoting transparency and public participation. Another highlight was the documentary film"Garbo,"which shows the unique collaboration between fishermen and dolphins in Laguna and highlights the importance of long-term local research.
The Gephyreus Network played a decisive role in the adoption of a trilateral conservation management plan (CMP) for the Lahille dolphin by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay are involved in this plan. The plan is based on four strategic pillars:
• Research
• Risk reduction
• Monitoring
• Public awareness & capacity building
A total of 24 conservation measures were established, seven of which are of the highest priority. At the same time, the network is working on reassessing the IUCN Red List status and on a proposal for Concerted Action under the CMS Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species.
Important progress was also made in field research:
• Four fishing villages in southern Brazil were visited and 60 fishermen were interviewed about bycatch risks and fishing dynamics.
• Over 3,000 people were reached through training courses, school projects, and public events.
• Citizen science programs in Brazil (e.g., Araranguá, Tramandaí River) and Uruguay are getting the population more involved in conservation.
Coordinated photo identification surveys at over ten locations in Brazil and Uruguay, as well as the resumption of research in Bahía San Antonio (Argentina), provided valuable data—including 60,000 dorsal fin photos and 15 biopsies for pollutant analysis. A complete stock assessment is expected by 2026.
A new research project on skin changes in Lahille dolphins in Laguna and Patos Lagoon has also been launched. In view of increasing health risks, the project is developing a comprehensive dolphin health program.
Dr. Lorenzo von Fersen, Chairman of YAQU PACHA:
"The Lahille dolphin (Tursiops gephyreus) is one of the most endangered dolphin species worldwide. With Project Gephyreus, we are also implementing the IUCN One Plan Approach, which combines conservation measures in the field with cooperation in zoological institutions. Only by working together can we preserve this species in the long term."
