They eat around 50 species of Amazon fishes, including piranhas. The indiscriminate capture of dolphins for fish bait, has also ignited the extinction of this species. Baby botos are born a bluis… There aren’t strong enough laws to make fishermen report what they catch.”, Marcelo Oliveira, a conservation specialist at World Wildlife Fund Brazil (WWF), agrees with that analysis. But now they fear the dolphins will be decimated, since before the ban, an estimated 2,500 dolphins were being killed each year for bait. Pink dolphins are the last of the five other river dolphin species, as the others are almost practically extinct. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. Cats Are Going Extinct: 12 Most Endangered Feline Species, 16 of the World's Most Endangered Vulture Species, 10 National Animals That Are Rare, Unusual, Endangered or Completely Nonexistent, 10 Magical Places Saved by Endangered Species, San Francisco University, BA in Linguistics. Catching dolphins from the wild for dolphinariums is also another reason for the depleting numbers of pink dolphins. The end of a local fishing ban in Brazil may signal good news for fishermen — but researchers are afraid it will spell disaster for a rare species of dolphin. Mongabay is a U.S.-based non-profit conservation and environmental science news platform. There are two types of Amazon river dolphins namely, the “boto” (Inia geoffrensis) and the “tucuxi” (Sotalia fluviatilis), which were once considered abundant in the Amazon. Under current estimates, experts believe nearly 3 thousand dolphins are killed each year out of a total population of around 30 thousand animals. Botos look very different to marine dolphins. What do Anacondas Eat? Last month, a legal moratorium on hunting catfish was lifted, leading researchers to fear that poachers will now hunt and kill dolphins to use as bait — a practice that poachers already did illegally. Of all the remarkable species that inhabit the Amazon river basin, few are as iconic or as threatened as Amazon river dolphins. We cannot continue living such selfish lives. We believe strongly that we can and must do things differently. Killing the dolphins endangers their survival, particularly since the females bear a single calf on average every four to five years. Pink dolphins have a powerful jaw. Find the Surprising Truth About Their Diet, This is Why Monkeys Don't Really Make Good Pets. We believe information is a powerful driver for the new tomorrow. The Amazon river dolphin, known for its pink color, is a critically endangered species of freshwater dolphin. Conducted by researcher Vera da Silva and her colleagues from the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil, the research is based on their findings on 22 years of surveys in the Mamiraua Reserve in Brazil—an area described as a core part of their range—where dolphins have been tracked by boat monthly from 1994 to 2017. First of all, theyre pink. Powerful jets of water spray out of their blowholes as these freshwater mammals take in air before submerging. This drought is nothing but the result of rising global temperatures. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together. "I never stop being amazed by them. Stephen Messenger writes about animals and nature at the Dodo, and previously at TreeHugger, 11 Startling Stats About Earth's Disappearing Wildlife, 4,600 Sea Turtles Killed in US Fisheries Every Year -- But That's Good News, 11 Endangered Species That Are Still Hunted for Food, 14 of the Most Endangered Whales, Porpoises, and Dolphins on Earth, Asian Carp Attack: High Stakes in Great Lakes, Earth's Tiniest Porpoise Approaches Extinction, 13 Adorable Animals That Could Soon Be Gone From the Wild. However, these wonderful creatures do not get this friendly gesture in return. We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Our EIN or tax ID is 45-3714703. The study had stated that the primary reason for the decrease in numbers was the dolphins’ use of flesh and blubber as bait for catfish, which have become widely available commercially. Amazon initiative pays farmers and ranchers to keep the forest standing, How are jaguars different from leopards? This AnimalSake post contains a more accurate and truthful account…, Funny and full of joy, monkeys seem to make great pets. “I believe [the lack of a moratorium] could make them extinct,” warns Dr. Vera da Silva, a researcher for INPA, the Amazon research institute, who has been studying Amazonia’s dolphins for more than 30 years. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Water pollution from coastal factories kills small river fish, which is the food source for pink dolphins. “If the removal is higher [than the reproduction and rearing rate] the species does not have the capacity to replace itself.”. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The Amazon river dolphin faces many challenges due to factors such as pollution, habitat degradation, and boat traffic. Environmentalists at the Mamirauá reserve in the state of Amazonas have been fighting the local fishing industry for decades. Not knowing what negative aquatic impacts might radiate from the extinction of this top predator, authorities may want to heed this legend as they try to decide whether or not to renew Brazil’s moratorium. Update: Shortly after this story was published, Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply announced that beginning 1 July, 2020, the moratorium will be extended for one year.