River dolphins such as the Amazon dolphin are among the most endangered dolphin species in the world.
The construction of dams, contamination of waters, habitat loss, bycatch and targeted killing are the greatest dangers.
The Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) has been directly affected by the targeted killing for several years. In Brazil, up to 1,500 animals are killed every year because their meat is highly sought-after. But not because people eat it, but rather because the Inia meat is used as bait to catch a catfish (Calophysus macropterus) about 45 cm long.
The demand for this catfish meat has risen sharply, especially in Colombia, and is leading to more and more dolphins being killed. The quick profit is attracting more and more fishermen to the river. According to the scientist Vera da Silva (INPA, Manaus), the number of municipalities involved in this fishery has increased significantly. Initial population counts already show that certain local populations of the Amazon dolphin are declining.
YAQU PACHA is currently working together with PROYECTO SOTALIA in Venezuela in the dolphin conservation of the Amazon dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)
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The long-term core tasks of this species conservation project are:
- Capturing the real problem in numbers
- Education among the population and environmental education
- Regulation and control of fisheries
- Creation of alternative sources of income for the fishing communities
Project La Plata Delfin | Project Vaquita | Project Manatee | Project Robben | Manatee | Chilean Dolphin | Vaquita | La Plata Dolphin | Species Conservation | Project Sotalia Delfin | 30 years of YAQU PACHA e.V. | Animal species that YAQU PACHA is working to protect | 25 Years of Franciscana Toninha Research