The Bolivian river dolphin or "Bolivian bufeo" The “Bolivian bufeo” is a nickname given to the Bolivian Amazon Dolphin Inia boliviensis by the local Bolivian people and as such is recognized internationally.
How was the Bolivian Amazon River dolphin discovered and recognized as a species?
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1834
The Bolivian Amazon River Dolphin was discovered and described by the French naturalist Alcide d’Orbigny
Original drawings by d’Orbigny of the Bolivian River Dolphin
What does the Bolivian Amazon River dolphin look like?
Unlike marine dolphins, the river dolphin has a long, thin snout, poor eyesight and is less active. It does not jump out of the water.
- The Bufeo has a smaller skull, more teeth and a longer body compared to the Amazon River dolphin (3). The two species are very similar, but became evolutionarily distinct being separated by the Teotônio rapids in the middle of the Madeira (Brazil). (Note: actually, below these rapids there is a zone where hybrids between the two species occur) (4)
- The Bufeo is well adapted to fishing in rivers, lakes and inundated floodplains.
Where can the Bolivian Amazon River dolphin be found?
There are more or less 5,000 bufeos residing within the Mamore and Iténez river basins within the Bolivian Amazon. There are no bufeos in the Beni river basin, because the species has never passed the Cachuela Esperanza rapids in the lower Beni!
- They can be found in a variety of habitats (main rivers, tributaries, oxbow lakes) and water types (black, white and clear water)
- The mean encounter rate during expeditions in the Iténez and Mamoré Rivers is 1 individual/km. (5) (6)
Threats faced by the Bolivian River dolphin A steady decline in the population of the Amazon River Dolphins over the past two decades has been recorded in Brazil. For example, the population was halved every 10 years in the Mamirauá area in north western Brazil.
As for the Bolivian Bufeo, it has a smaller population size. This makes it extra vulnerable to a number of threats, with a potential to drive the species to extinction in the long run. Recently, the species has been recognised internationally as Endangered under the IUCN Red book (3). At the national level, the species is still listed as Vulnerable under “The Red Book of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna of Bolivia” (4) published by the Ministry of Environment and Water (MMAyA) of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
Hydroelectric dams
Hydroelectric dams create a physical barrier between upstream and downstream dolphins, leading to population fragmentation (5) (6) (7). This can aggravate the decline in the Bufeo numbers as smaller groups of isolated dolphins can quickly crash. In Brazil, a group of dolphins are trapped between the Jirau and Santo Antonio dams.
The dolphins could also be affected by changes in their floodplain habitat as a consequence of upstream sediment trapped by dams. The dolphins may also suffer from a lack of food as a result of dam construction as they primarily feed on migrating fish species.
Mercury accumulation in the river
Mercury released from artisanal and industrial gold mining is introduced into the ecosystem of the river. In Bolivia, gold mining is most common in the upper Madre de Dios basin (upstream of the distribution range of dolphins) and in the upper Iténez. Methylmercury accumulates and biomagnifies substantially in the Bolivian River dolphins as they are top predators in their freshwater ecosystems (8).
Fishing industry
Dolphin Conservation Our mission to conserve the Bolivian Amazon River Dolphin
Scientific Research
Cooperatively conduct scientific research: (see the SARDI cooperation with Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Brasil)
- To close information gaps about the Bolivian River Dolphin. See for example how we use satellite tags to know more about dolphin movements 1 along the river.
- To understand anthropogenic impacts on the Bolivian Amazon River Dolphins and the river ecosystem. Freshwater dolphins are useful bioindicators for the assessment of the health of river ecosystems as they are sensitive to habitat changes
- To make better decisions and recommendations on river dolphin conservation and management measures (for example aiming at reducing fisheries impact)
- To achieve sustainable development by giving better advice to social and economic projects on the consideration of minimizing environmental impacts on the Bolivian Amazon River Dolphin and riverine ecosystem
Promote Awareness
Promote interest and awareness in the public on the Bolivian river dolphin and their Amazonian river habitat and protect the species
- Facilitate fluid communication to the media and press to inform the general public on our work and on the conservation status of the Bolivian Bufeo
Work with the government, local communities, farmers and fisheries
Educating and advising the government, local communities, farmers and fisheries on dolphin-friendly measures
Educational Materials
Publish and provide educational material about these dolphins to the public. See publications or visit www.editorial-inia.com
How can you give support? We use 3-4 fields that we physically put into the map. For the ones with several points, we will use a slider. Graphics could be: For “Inform” somebody at the edge of the river talking to a small group of people. For “Act” somebody who is planting a tree at a bold spot beside the river. For “Support” / “Finance” a boat in style of a dollar bill floating along the river. For “be responsible” a tourist that keeps distance to a dolphin.
Raise awareness: Talk with your family and friends, share information on Social Media
Fundraise and donate to ongoing conservation projects on the Amazon river and dolphins
Use your hands: Volunteer your time to conservation projects and participate in environmental clean-ups around the Amazons
- Join us on our Dolphin expeditions
Empower the dolphins: Support policies and sign petitions that urges the government to protect Bolivian Amazon River Dolphins and their habitats
Reduce, reuse, and recycle: Avoid using disposables such as plastic bags, prefer reusable items or paper bags.
Stop river pollution: Be aware of the chemicals used in house detergents, cleaners and cosmetics. The same goes for fertilizers and pesticides in your garden or at farms.
Meet the dolphins: As a tourist in the Amazon, be responsible – keep distance, remain quiet and do not throw waste into the river. Do not feed the dolphins!
Documents All the references about the investigation.
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