The pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), also known as the Amazon river dolphin, is an odontocete (that is, cetaceans with teeth) belonging to the Iniidae family. It is a species threatened with extinction and, without a doubt, the most striking river dolphin due to the coloration of its body, since, as its name indicates, it is pink. In addition, it is the largest of them all.
This dolphin is distributed throughout the Amazon River and the Orinoco River basin, and although it is also considered faster and more flexible than the rest of the dolphin species, it swims more carefully because many times must navigate between waters with arboreal vegetation. This species takes advantage of flooded jungle areas in the rainy season and then moves to the river basins when they finish. It can also be found in environments such as lakes, river mouths, rapids or canals.
Continue reading this article on our site to find out why the Amazon pink river dolphin is in danger of extinction and how to help conserve the species.
How many Amazon pink dolphins are left?
Although there are few studies that talk about the populations of this species, today, approximately, it is estimated about 188 pink dolphinsthroughout its range, being one of the most endangered species of river dolphins today.
In 2008, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature had included it in the category of "vulnerable", however, after several investigations, the Amazon pink dolphin has passed to the category of “ endangered” and there are estimates that indicate that in less than 50 years the populations of this species could be reduced by half.
The fact that its category has changed to endangered is an opportunity to work hard in the conservation of this species, considered in many regions as a regulator of populations of fish species that can be harmful, as is the case with piranhas, which can be overpopulated.
Characteristics of the pink dolphin and where it lives
The Amazon pink river dolphin is a solitary animal, and a few individualsmay group together, but above all mothers and calves. Compared to other dolphins, it is not a very curious and sociable species, but it is less shy than the rest and it has been proven that they share their food and can even hunt with other species, including river otters.
Some of the characteristics of the Amazon pink dolphin are the following:
- It is the largest river dolphin: males can reach about 2.5 meters in length and weigh about 180 kg.
- It has sexual dimorphism: the females, on the other hand, are somewhat smaller, measuring approximately 2 meters in length and weighing about of 100 kg, being very marked the sexual dimorphism due to this. Discover more information about sexual dimorphism: definition, curiosities and examples in this other article on our site that we suggest.
- It does not have fused cervical vertebrae: its body is robust, but flexible, especially its head, which unlike marine dolphins, does not have fused cervical vertebrae. Its fins are very wide, both the caudal and the pectoral ones, and the dorsal one, although not very high, is long, since it extends to the caudal area. All of this gives the Amazon pink river dolphin a greater ability to maneuver in flooded arboreal environments.
- It has a melon on its head: it is a prominence that intervenes in echolocation and whose shape can vary thanks to the muscular action during use.
- It has pointed teeth: there can be more than 50 of them and they are used to capture and tear its prey. It also uses its elongated snout and its diet is based on a wide variety of fish of different sizes. You may be interested in this article on Animals that are prey: characteristics and examples.
- Their pink coloration varies with age: juveniles and newborns are dark with shades of grey, and as they grow, they become lighter until they get the pink hue of adults. According to some studies, the hue of adults is subject to the temperature of the water, its transparency, and the geographic region.
Where does the pink dolphin live?
This is the most widely distributed species of river dolphin and is found in the basins of the Amazon, Orinoco and Madeira rivers in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Bolivia. Its distribution is closely dependent on changes in river levels and the dry and rainy seasons. In this way:
- During the rainy season: They are located in wooded areas overwhelmed by flooding.
- During the dry season: they are found in riverbeds, since other areas such as lakes have very little water. Their habitats are very varied, as we said, they can be from river courses to lakes, canals, falls and rapids, among other bodies of water.
- During the breeding season: Both males and females are selective in terms of habitat type. Especially female pink dolphins, as they stay longer in flooded areas lacking currents, unlike rivers. This is because those quieter areas are perfect for the calf to rest and be fed by the mother, as well as protecting it from other potentially dangerous species, including males adults, as they leave these areas very quickly after mating.
Why is the pink river dolphin in danger of extinction?
There are several threats that put the Amazon pink river dolphin in danger of extinction, but among the most compelling are the following.
Illegal hunting
Illegal and indiscriminate hunting, since for years its meat was used as bait to catch some species of fish. Specifically, its meat was used to catch speckfish, a scavenger species that feeds on the remains of dead animals, including illegally hunted pink dolphins, a practice that it still persists in some regions where it is distributed.
You can consult other Scavenger Animals: types and examples in this other article on our site that we recommend.
Habitat destruction
Another reason why pink dolphins are in danger of extinction is the destruction of their habitat, since deforestation, especially everything in the Brazilian Amazon, is reducing its extension in a very alarming way every year. This has led to sectors of the river where they are located being destroyed. In addition, the traffic on them has caused death by the propellers to curious dolphins that approach the boats, added to the noise pollution it means for these animals.
Water contamination
Moreover, as with other dolphin species, mercury contamination due to gold mining has led to to the levels of this material flooding the waters of the rivers where the pink dolphin lives, which has caused many deaths of specimens.
Consequences of the extinction of the Amazon pink dolphin
The pink river dolphin sits at the top of the food chain, so it has no natural predators that could wipe out its population. As a result of human activities, this species is in danger of extinction and the main consequence of its extinction is the alteration of the ecosystemIts work is based on maintaining fish populations, excluding those that are sick or in poor condition.
How to protect the Amazon pink dolphin?
If you wonder how to prevent the extinction of the pink river dolphin after knowing its life history, you should know that there are different ways in which you can collaborate with its protection, such as:
- Do not contribute to the purchase of speckfish, since they use pink Amazon dolphin meat for their fishing. In addition, this fish is sold under other names, being a protected species in Brazil and Colombia.
- Report the illegal hunting of the pink dolphin, you can go to NGOs or government entities if you know of people who do this.
- If you yourself go on excursions to regions where the pink dolphin is present, be responsible, do not feed or interact with these animals.
- If you visit any of the sites where the Amazon pink dolphin is found, avoid throwing garbage into the river so as not to contaminate its habitat.
- Finally, you can inform others about the situation of the pink dolphin, in this way you also help its conservation.
