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New species of river dolphin discovered in the Amazon mongabay.com April 30, 2008
The Bolivian dolphin (Inia boliviensis) is smaller and lighter colored than the better known boto or Amazon pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) found widely in the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. It also has more teeth. The species, which was immediately adopted as a flagship species for Bolivian conservation efforts, is found only in the Bolivian Amazon, isolated from other species by a series of rapids between Bolivia and Brazil. While the Bolivian dolphin lives in a remote part of the Amazon, it is threatened by pollution and fishing practices. Other Amazon river dolphins are endangered by hydroelectric projects, mining, boat traffic, and deforestation. Researchers estimate that up to 1500 Amazon dolphins are killed by fishermen as bait per year.
Truijillo recently completed a survey to estimate the number of freshwater dolphins living in the Orinoco and Amazon River basins. The series of seven expeditions sighted 3,188 dolphins in five countries. Truijillo says that a region-wide ban on the killing of dolphins for bait and the promotion of more sustainable fishing practices would reduce pressure on Amazon dolphin populations. News index | RSS | Add to MyYahoo! Advertisements: Organic Apparel from Patagonia | Insect-repelling clothing |
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