Wednesday, October 18, 2020
The Amazon pink river dolphin is one of five dolphin species that have evolved to live in freshwater. They are slightly smaller than sea dolphins and are often pink, although the shades of their skin may vary from a soft grey to pink when they are exposed to different lighting conditions.
Pink river dolphins are top predators within their habitat. If their population declines, a cascading environmental effect will occur. The pollution of the Amazon River waters, in addition to the degradation of the rainforest surroundings and illegal hunting, has compromised the survival of these dolphins. The IUCN Red List has limited information about these creatures.
In 2010, through a collaboration with the Kichwa community of Martinica in the Cocaya region, Anakonda Amazon Cruises designated this region as a protected area for pink river dolphins and has worked together to protect them and keep their population stable. Dolphins are, of course, allowed in and out of the region, but there is no hunting of the dolphins permitted. Having areas like this within the Amazon is crucial to the survival of the species.
Since the program has started, the number of visible dolphins within the region has increased from 4 to 10.
River cruise guests interact with the dolphins and get to feed them when they visit the Cocaya region. This collaboration affords the communities the ability to support themselves in a sustainable way.
Interacting with the pink river dolphins is one of the highlights of the trip, a magical moment that brings you right up and close with nature in the wild.
By participating in this experience guests are helping support tourism in the area, which in turn, means supporting conservation of the Amazon.
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