River Dolphin Abundance

Q1. How large is the river dolphin population in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve?

One of the most important tasks of this research expedition is to try and determine just how large are the populations of the boto and tucuxi in the Reserve. In other words, how abundant are they?

River dolphins are often found in remote areas making it difficult to find them. Because these waters are murky and dolphins like to stay submerged underwater, it is not easy to determine how many there are.

Researchers also want to know how river dolphins spend their time. Do they stay in nuclear family groups, do they have extended families, or do they prefer the company of unrelated dolphins?

Significant Background Information:
The boto river dolphin population is listed as threatened by the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It is listed as vunerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (ICUN).

So what?

How does answering the question, "How large is the river dolphin population in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve?" help us create a conservation plan that protects the dolphins and benefits the local people?

You can find out what data we collected and the tools we used to collect the data by checking the daily data page. Just like us though, you will need to analyze the data in order to draw any conclusions.