Dolphins have been regarded as man’s good friend. This marine mammal has different species and is found in fresh water as well as sea water. Dolphins live in groups called pods. They communicate with each other by making a clicking noise. They have always enchanted avid gazers of sea waters with their leaps and jumps. Unfortunately, the number of Amazon River dolphins has decreased dramatically.

The fresh water variety is found in the Amazon River and all the tributaries of the river. This species of dolphin is also known by several other names, such as Bufeo, Boto Cor de Rosa, Bufeo Colorado, tonina, Nay Boutu or simply as pink dolphin. Amongst other species, the pink dolphin is believed to be the largest variety. The characteristic of this variety is their ability to turn their neck by complete 180 degrees. It is similar to the gray dolphin in many ways. Some distinct traits include bigger size, bigger tail, a hump on the back and absence of dorsal fin. The size and capacity of their brain is 40 percent higher than humans.

Instead of living peacefully with dolphins and maintaining a healthy eco-system, humans have done more to damage their habitat and bring them on the verge of extinction which has been endorsed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The dwindling numbers is not attributable only to the damage caused to their habitat by pollution, deforestation of the tropical rainforests and contamination of the water but also by killing for joy and for using them for making various products of use humans.

The Amazon basin has been overused and commercialized over the past few years. This has caused severe threat to the very survival of the species in this region which thrived till two decades back.

In Peru, there is still hope for the survival of the dolphins with the efforts of Roxanne Kremer. She conducted her studies and did research in the rainforests in the upper basins almost 150 kilometers from Iquitos. The count taken by Ms. Kremer in 1998 showed rise in the count of the dolphins to thirty-five to forty-five from 8. She worked in alliance with the police guarding the forests of Peru for protecting this species by empowering the locals with the concerned rights and laws which caused a reduction in illegal fishing of dolphins. The stoppage of logging in this area also helped in conserving the aquatic and land life.

The non-profit organization called ISPTR, or International Society for Preservation of Tropical Rainforest, is working towards the restoration of damaged river basins. A project for the protection and conservation of the Amazon River dolphins has also been undertaken by them called PARD, or Preservation of Amazon River dolphin.

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• How Many Amazon River Dolphins Are Left ?
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• What Is Being Done To Protect Endangered Dolphins ?
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Wikipedia: Amazon River Dolphin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_river_dolphin