Sponsored in cooperation with the Earthwatch Institute

River Dolphins of Peru

Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, Peru

Most people picture dolphins leaping from blue ocean waters, frolicking in large social groups behind passing boats. But there is another side to dolphins: elusive, solitary, lurking in the rivers of the Amazon rain forest. There are two species of river dolphin in the upper Amazon basin, the boto, or pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), and the tucuxi, or gray river dolphin (Sotalia fluviatalis). Both of them are about two meters in length, with long smiling beaks and prominent foreheads. Their habits are as unknown as the shadowy rainforest rivers where they are top predators. Although not subject to direct exploitation, river dolphins are quickly losing precious habitat to pollution, deforestation, overfishing, and development. You are here in the headwaters of the Amazon, in Peru’s largest nature reserve, to collect data on their habitat needs, population, and abundance.

The only way into this seasonally-inundated forest is on the dolphins’ own meandering paths, the tree-lined rivers of black, white, or clear water. You’ll be stationed on a 13-meter, wooden-hulled riverboat, where you’ll make your observations, eat your meals, sleep, and enjoy the passing verdure of the rain forest. Your leader, Tamara McGuire (Texas A & M University), has studied the ecology of river dolphins in Bolivia, Venezuela, and Peru, and will skillfully immerse you in the natural history of the rain forest. You will float right through the drama of rainforest denizens, from macaws, toucans, and herons, to piranha, monkeys, and caimans.

2000 TEAMS
10 teams of 15 days each, starting Jan 22, 2000

• Max team size: 4

MEMBERS SHARE OF COST
from US $1,795 • £1,115 • Aus $2,760 • Yen ¥210,700

RENDEZVOUS SITE
International Airport, Iquitos, Peru

VOLUNTEER TASKS

Beginning observations by 7:00 a.m., you will take shifts with other volunteers, scouting for dolphins from the bow and recording data on dolphin numbers, location, and species. Individuals will be characterized using a photo-ID system, to understand more about their population structure. You will measure environmental variables important to dolphin habitat choice, from pH and transparency to river width, and sample small tributaries from aboard a three-meter skiff. You’ll pay special attention to documenting dolphin activity in confluences. After long hours on the boat, you will enjoy birdwatching ventures ashore, a swim here and there, or a visit to a local village, and of course there is the incredible beauty and richness of the rain forest. But you can rest assured that your carefully collected data will be key to the future of boto and tucuxi, the tranquil dolphin spirits of the Amazon basin.

FIELD CONDITIONS

You will work and stay on a comfortable but rustic river boat, sleeping on a bed in a common, screened-in sleeping area. The boat includes a river-water tepid shower and toilet, and solar electricity for lights and refrigerator only. Assist in meal preparation and clean-up, and enjoy the plentiful fish and fabundant fruits of the forest, including papaya, bananas, and pineapples.