Bolivian River Dolphin Declared as Conservation Ambassador of Amazon
posted in Animal Species |
Recently the Government of Bolivia titled the Bolivian River Dolphin as a National Heritage. The designation “National Heritage” itself shows the importance laid on the conservation of river dolphin species and the freshwater ecosystem where it resides. The Bolivian government is committed towards its continuing efforts in the protection of this symbolic cetacean. The government is also determined to strengthen its conservation measures of dolphin and its habitat.
The declaration of Bolivian river dolphin as National Heritage is one of the result of South American river dolphin census conducted by WWF, Fundación Omacha and partners. Scientists for more than 15 months in 2006-2007 navigated and surveyed almost 2,000 miles between the Amazon and Orinoco rivers and their tributaries. During their expedition scientists covered 13 rivers within 5 countries: Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia and counted more than 3,000 river dolphins.
In local language Bolivian River Dolphin is called as Bufeo. The scientific community acknowledged Bufeo as the new endemic species of Bolivia. They also consider Bufeo as an important indicator of quality of the freshwater in which it resides. Scientific studies conducted on the dolphin are helpful in evaluating and measuring the threats to the freshwater ecosystem. This also includes the pollution caused from the mercury and hydrocarbons and also the impact caused by the infrastructure projects like waterways and dams.
The survey results are used by the local conservation organizations and WWF for the implementation of the conservation measures of the river dolphin. The future conservation plans includes a detailed estimation of Bufeo’s abundance and distribution. The next step would be the execution of management and sustainable plans at regional and local level and also the promotion of sustainable livelihoods.
Fernando Trujillo, Leader of South American River Dolphin Census and Scientific Director, Fundación Omacha said: “River dolphins are seriously threatened and in danger of extinction in other continents, such as Asia. Nonetheless, South America, and particularly Bolivia, still have river dolphin populations in relatively good conservation status.” He further added: “We still have time to implement necessary measures to prevent South American river dolphins following the same fate as the Asian species. For example, we urgently need to know the potential impact of the proposed hydroelectric dams in the Madeira River on the Bolivian river dolphin populations.”