Bolivian River Dolphin declared new species

06/05/2008 15:14:27

May 2008 The Bolivian river dolphin, known locally as the as bufeo, has been acknowledged by the scientific community as a new endemic species for Bolivia. and is now considered an important indicator regarding the quality of the freshwater ecosystemsin its range. The Bolivian river dolphin (Inia boliviensis) was declared by the Prefecture of the Department of Beni (northeastern Bolivia) as a Natural Heritage. This recognition highlights the value placed on the conservation of this species, and the freshwater ecosystems in the Beni where it lives.

"Once we knew that the Inia boliviensis lives in over 90% of the Beni and that it is an endemic species with a healthy conservation status, we decided to declare it an emblematic species and Natural Heritage of the Beni Region", stated Ms. Ana Karina Bello, from the Office for Natural Resources and the Environment. "Our next steps will be towards strengthening measures to conserve the species and its habitats, and that is why we seek the national recognition regarding this declaration through our National Congress and passing of a specific law."

Organizations such as WWF Bolivia, the NGO FaunAgua and authorities of the Iténez Protected Area - where the

Bolivian river dolphin has important populations - celebrated the occasion and expressed "this is a highly valuable opportunity to generate joint actions towards freshwater ecosystem conservation in the Department of Beni, as well as of other associated species such as the caiman (Caiman yacare), the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) and the river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis)."

Distribution survey

In order to implement conservation measures for this species, Bolivian and other South American conservation organizations plan to carry out a detailed evaluation of its distribution and abundance, implement management and sustainable use strategies at local and regional levels, in order to promote sustainable productive alternatives such as responsible tourism, with direct participation of local communities.

"River dolphins are seriously threatened and in danger of extinction in other continents, such as Asia. Nonetheless, South America, and particularly Bolivia, still has river dolphin populations in relatively good numbers", ensured Mr. Fernando Trujillo, scientific director of Fundación Omacha, and leader of the first South American river dolphin census. "We still have time to implement necessary measures to prevent South American river dolphins following the same fate as the Asian species. For example, we urgently need to know the potential impact of the proposed hydroelectric dams in the Madera River on the Inia boliviensis populations."