Pink river dolphins: Bolivian scientists, fishermen team up to unravel mysteries

Fishermen who once angled for rare pink river dolphins are working with researchers in Bolivia’s Amazon jungle in a high-tech bid to assure the species’ survival and better understand their needs.

Scientists with global environmental group WWF and Bolivian NGO Faunagua recently tagged four freshwater dolphins in the Ichilo river using satellite technology that allows fishermen to use a mobile phone app to report their locations.

“They (the fishermen) hunted the dolphins to use them as bait for fishing,” said Paul Van Damme, of Faunagua. “(Now) we are raising their awareness and including them as researchers and scientists.”

Despite the iconic status of river dolphins, little is known about their populations and habitats, according to WWF. Fishermen who still frequent the rivers will report what dolphins eat, how far they migrate and give scientists clues about the threats they face.

It gives fishermen a new perspective on a species that has long been their prey, said Lila Sainz, head of Bolivia’s WWF.

“Everything that affects dolphins affects the humans that use those resources,” said Sainz. “So, if dolphins are doing well, people are doing well.”

Bolivia’s vast Amazon rainforest is critical habitat for a wide range of species, from dolphins to toucans and jaguars, whose existence is being threatened by deforestation, upriver dams, forest fires and development.