Help us with our species conservation projects
Species conservation, as practiced by YAQU PACHA, requires not only the commitment of local people, but also financial support to cover the costs of implementing the projects. This is particularly costly in the long term. In Latin America, support for nature conservation by government institutions is rather rare and therefore mainly dependent on species conservation organizations such as YAQU PACHA.
The following list shows the regular costs of our species conservation projects. Here you can make your contribution to the protection of endangered species and you know exactly what we do with your donation, because your donation goes exactly where you want it to go. Of course, you will receive a donation receipt and a certificate for your support. In addition, you will always find up-to-date information on the progress of the project you are supporting on our website.
Project Rehabilitation of stranded La Plata dolphins
The La Plata dolphin – Franciscana – Toninha is the most endangered dolphin species in South America and its survival is critically threatened. YAQU PACHA has been working to protect this dolphin species since 1996. In recent decades, the number of live strandings of La Plata dolphins has increased throughout their entire range.
In most cases, these are newborns that require very intensive veterinary care. To give these animals a chance, YAQU PACHA has developed scientifically based strategies in collaboration with other institutions. Our goal is to equip these facilities with the necessary equipment to save these animals.
Here you can find out how much it costs to rescue these dolphins and how you can help us in a targeted way.
Milk for La Plata dolphin calves
A daily ration of special rearing milk for a La Plata dolphin. This is a special rearing milk for dolphin calves and newborns, which is very high in calories and ensures that the dolphins are adequately nourished even in small quantities. Since the stomachs of La Plata dolphin calves are very small, only small amounts of this milk can be fed. The animals are fed this special milk at short intervals, which we have to source from the USA and import to South America.
Medication for treating La Plata dolphins
This covers the weekly cost of medication for specially trained doctors to treat a rescued La Plata dolphin. Regular administration of medication is crucial for the dolphins' survival.
Veterinary care
Continuous veterinary care and treatment is crucial for the survival of stranded and rescued La Plata dolphins. Any deterioration in health must be identified immediately and treated accordingly by specially trained veterinarians.
These special transport boxesare used tobring stranded and rescued La Plata dolphinsto the rehabilitation station, where they are immediately examined and treated according to their injuries. Transport is carried out using our research vehicles, which we also use to conduct beach patrols.
Mobile water basin with filter system and pumps
These special basins are urgently needed to care for and look after the rescued La Plata dolphins until they can be released back into a suitable habitat in the sea. The water basins are equipped with a high-quality filter system and a pump system. This is the only way to achieve optimal water quality for the animals, which is crucial for the survival of the La Plata dolphins. The animals will remain in the basins for several weeks to months until they have recovered. They must be cared for around the clock until it is certain that they can live independently and no longer require human assistance.
Beach surveillance on the Brazilian coast
Our teams regularly search the beaches along the Brazilian coast for stranded animals. Live animals are immediately taken to our stations in special transport boxes, where they receive immediate medical care and attention. Dead stranded animals are also recovered so that they can be examined and the cause of death determined.
Project: Airborne counting of La Plata dolphins in Uruguay
A very important part of species conservation for La Plata dolphins is aerial surveys, which are carried out using aircraft with specially curved windows from which the animals are counted.
These flight counts were conducted in March and April 2023 along the coast of Uruguay and are crucial for determining the population of La Plata dolphins in Uruguay.
This allows population declines to be detected immediately, which is extremely important for a better assessment of the species' situation. The results of the aerial counts are shared with the partner institutions involved in the project. Regular aerial counts are important for detecting population fluctuations and developing new strategies to protect this most endangered dolphin species in South America. A sharp decline, as has already been observed in some populations of the La Plata dolphin further north, must be considered alarming.
Population size estimate – Lahille's bottlenose dolphin
For more than 20 years, YAQU PACHA has been supporting species conservation projects to save Lahille's bottlenose dolphin. The range of this species is limited to the coastal waters of southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. The populations are small and fragmented and face a number of serious threats, including severe pollution, which is increasingly leading to skin diseases, and bycatch in some areas. Recent data suggest that the species is threatened with extinction in many areas. The total population is estimated at no more than 600 animals.
YAQU PACHA's dolphin projects aim to observe the various populations over a period of years in order to assess their condition and identify any alarming changes.
To achieve this goal, regular monitoring trips with our research boat and aerial photography are necessary to monitor populations and photo-identify dolphins. Regular beach patrols with vehicles are also necessary to determine the cause of death of stranded dolphins.
Observation and photo identification of Lahille's bottlenose dolphins in Lagoa dos Patos, Brazil, with our research boat Charlotte. These trips take place regularly and are very important for recording the population in Lagoa dos Patos. The photo ID method is based on the distinctive characteristics of the dolphins' dorsal fins, as these are different for each animal. This allows individual animals to be identified and the total population to be estimated. With the help of a database, the animals can be recognized and sightings recorded.
DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone – New DJI Mavic 3 Classic research drone for photography and flight counts
This modern drone system is equipped with a high-resolution Hasselblad camera and delivers razor-sharp images of the animals. It is used by our team to monitor behavior and, in some cases, fishing activities in the research area. The drone can be launched and landed from the research vessel. High-resolution video recordings of the animals are also possible.
New camera
Camera systems are indispensable for any research project. In our projects, these camera systems are primarily used to obtain accurate images for photo identification, but also to monitor the development of skin injuries over time. The dolphins are photographed and their dorsal fin/skin region is registered in the database and compared with existing images of the animals.
To strengthen our teams in South America, we are regularly looking for and need volunteers. These volunteers already have specialist knowledge and relevant training and are important for the work in our species conservation projects. YAQU PACHA's goal is to employ these specialists in our projects on a long-term basis.
La Plata Dolphin Project | Bottlenose Dolphin Project Brazil | Aerial Surveys – Uruguay | Species Conservation | Animal Welfare | 30 Years of YAQU PACHA e.V. | Support Us | Merchandise | Tasks and Goals | La Plata Dolphin