Seasonal movement of Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) in a protected floodplain

Authors

Mintzer, V.J.

Additional Authors

Martin, AR; Lorenzen, K; Frazer, TK; da Silva, VMF

Year

2016

Volume & Issue

Volume32, Issue2

Country / Region

Brazil

Document Type

Peer-reviewed journal article

Species

Boto, Amazon river dolphin

Science Keywords

Movements

Conservation Measure

Protected Areas

Abstract

Deliberate killing for use as bait in a regional catfish (Calophysus macropterus) fishery is the primary threat affecting the survival of the Amazon river dolphin, or boto (Inia geoffrensis). Establishing and improving freshwater protected areas has been suggested as a possible course of action to protect the species. However, the ecology of the boto is poorly understood and more information is needed on the species’ habitat use and movement patterns to ensure that spatial protection initiatives meet conservation needs. In this study, mark-recapture/resight data collected in and near the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, a várzea in the Brazilian Amazon, was used to examine transition probabilities of botos between various habitat types. Our findings suggest that it is imperative that spatial protection initiatives focused on the boto take into account the importance of várzea habitat and bay systems for individuals in early life stages. Moreover, because botos frequently occupy the main rivers, particularly during the low water period, protecting areas of the main river waters adjacent to várzeas could aid in the protection of hunted populations.